<p>USC’s Thornton School of Music has a fantastic program for classical piano - but you will be competing for admission with top pianists from around the world. Do you practice 6-12 hours a day? Are you currently studying with a conservatory level professor? As I mentioned 6 years of private study is starting late for piano. (It would be different for voice or winds or composition.) Have you won any national or international competitions? The other applicants will be able to say yes to those questions.</p>
<p>I’m still unclear if you want to study classical or popular music. Generally when one mentions songwriting it is not for classical music. That would be considered ‘composition.’ And you would be talking about Art Songs and Opera. Or Choral music.</p>