<p>What are the hidden gems? I want my daughter to apply to a variety of schools so what are your experiences with your children? We are in Chicago and I would like to know where we may be overlooking. So far we have looked at Oberlin and CCM. We are headed to visit Lawrence next week. Any other suggestions? My daughter is a senior Mezzo.</p>
<p>Have you thought about the University of Minnesota? Minneapolis is a great city, and the Minnesota Opera does amazing work. Here’s a link to the bio for the mezzo on the faculty at the School of Music there. My son is a senior instrumentalist there. So many artistic opportunities in the city.
<a href=“https://music.umn.edu/people/faculty-staff/profile?UID=azabala[/url]”>https://music.umn.edu/people/faculty-staff/profile?UID=azabala</a></p>
<p>When DD was at Rice her first year, one of the Grad Students in her studio who went on to win the Met National auditions went to Webster University for her undergrad. I don’t know if the person she studied with is still there but may be worth a look.</p>
<p>Have you looked at Northwestern Bienen or Roosevelt CCPA?</p>
<p>This is not a hidden gem, but you should look at the University of Michigan. It’s so close to Chicago, and has a wonderful school of music. My daughter is a freshman there in voice performance and loves it. She is really being challenged and has already learned so much from her voice teacher. She is a cellist too and loves playing in the orchestra as well.</p>
<p>Singersmom07 – I just want to clarify – your daughter attributes the grad student’s “skillset” or training success to the teacher at Webster, or Rice? It sounds like you mean Webster – just checking. Thanks!</p>
<p>voiceacademicmom----a singer can get excellent training as an undergrad at smaller, “hidden gems”. I used to adjudicate for a voice competition for undergrads and I can tell you that some very small, obscure schools have wonderful teachers. Grad schools do not care where you went to school as an undergrad. In grad school it is still all about the audition.</p>
<p>She attributes to both and her more advanced training, too. The learning does not stop. hyerette is correct, I was just pointing out that successful singers can do their undergrad at a smaller “hidden gem” without harming their career. It is not necessary to go into tremendous debt as an undergrad and success can begin in many places, not just the more famous conservatories.</p>
<p>Thanks – I really was just surprised/curious about Webster, having not heard of it for voice before. My D1 considered it for a short time, for drama. </p>
<p>My dilemma – unrelated but just putting it out there – is knowing that faculty should be the #1 consideration in choosing a school, but of course not knowing how long a particular professor/teacher will remain at any school.</p>
<p>Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan is a great school for vocal music. The professors are all active in the field and the the choirs perform challenging literature at a great quality.</p>