@vvnstar, that was me on the vocal coach comment. It isn’t a term that I think is used at Tisch as far as I know. I think the word “coach” is fine but the line between what is taught in private lesson vs. vocal performance classes is not as clear cut as what you describe in our experience at Tisch.
@theaterwork, some of the most fabulous MT programs are housed in public universities which means I would assume that there is some obligation to include a pathway for the student with great talent but without means to fund private preparation. I sure hope so. I think so. I know that some schools including the private ones deliberately outreach to minority groups they would like to include and some truly do a great job with this. What I’m less sure about is how things look like on the ground for talented non minorities who also have need. It does sometimes feel as if these sort of admissions are turning into a varsity select sport.
Yes @halflokum . I agree the admissions thing wears on me as it’s easy to think you arent doing enough. It’s been a wake up call for me as I don’t have other kids so this is my first experience with selective college processes. Seems to be one thing after another. Is your GPA good? Is your SAT up to snuff? Did you pick the right song? Does your monologue seem overdone? Wow there are so many soprano brunettes…is the school a good program? Did your take enough dance? Was it really enough?..can we even afford the college that accepts you? .and on and on and on…
Oops - sorry @toowonderful and @halfolkum for tagging the wrong person. I always appreciate both of your insights. @halflokum -NYU certainly has top notch vocal training. It sounds like OCUs program is just set up a bit differently. I always find it interesting to see the similarities and differences among MT programs.
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My D is working with both a vocal and a monologue coach from MTCA. The benefits are well worth the cost. She is working with professionals she respects and takes their feedback as constructive. She is happy with the material they selected for her and is developing confidence as well. Having others to guide her in this process is also beneficial to our relationship. She is much more engaged in the process now that she has homework from the coaches vs. tasks from a nagging mom.
I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share what they paid their accompanist for prescreen videos. Did you pay per song or per hour?
Our accompanist seems to be avoiding questions regarding fees, and I’m afraid I may be the one to have to suggest the price. If so, I want to make sure my offer is fair.
Thanks in advance for any info.
We paid ours $100. Not only did she play for the videos, she practiced with my D ahead of time and practiced the songs. We have paid $35 per half hour for other events. It probably depends on the area you live. We are in the Midwest in a small suburban area.
@theaterwork My D did an audition “boot camp” over the weekend. Mary Anna Dennard presented and the kids got the opportunity to workshop their audition packages and roll them out to a select panel of faculty from BW, Michigan, CCM and one other school (changed at the last minute and I can’t recall what my D told me!). There were a few interesting takeaways from the parent/student session with Moo that bear repeating: 1. Very well done “overdone” monologues or songs will trump a poorly prepared (or poorly presented) but more unique piece every time. 2. There is no ONE right song/monologue. Find ones that work well and work them! 3. Prescreens taped on your smartphone are fine (she emphasized NOT spending a bunch of $$ on professional prescreens; schools are not looking for professionally-produced video). As for the other things you raise, they will be different at every school (grades/level of dance required/scholarships). One interesting point I had not considered: maybe your student wants to pick some schools that will train up their weakest attribute (if your child feels weakest in dance, perhaps audition for dance-heavy programs). To add my voice to the chorus: if you can afford an audition coach – even if it is for just a few hours – I think it is well worth the investment!
Has anyone filled out the “Discover Me” tab on GetAccept? If so, was it helpful?
