<p>I don't know how voice "works" as my S is an instrumentalist. However, with instruments, different orchestras look for different sounds. My S studies in NYC, but does not really have an "NYC sound" -- he has studied in Europe, and in the south, and with teachers from the mid-west, so he is "aware" of the different sounds for his instrument, and is in the process of learning where he fits. </p>
<p>If it is a similar situation in voice, it makes sense that, for instance, mini's friend consistently prefers the sound coming out of certain schools. I would hesitate to assume, though, that this automatically makes those schools "better" overall. If Williams consistently places voice students in the west, it might mean that Oberlin places them in the mid-west, or the east, or Europe...</p>
<p>We come back again to "fit." In my S's case, it has become especially important to him to continue to seek out a variety of teachers (during summers, etc) to get complementing (as opposed to complimenting :) ) feedback. When his teacher asks him to change something, he needs to be able to evaluate himself whether the teacher is helping him overall, or trying to get him to match the NYC sound only.</p>