<p>I read that in some music schools prospective students are supposed to request to be in a particular faculty member's studio. How do students know who they would like to study with unless they get a sample lesson from each possible faculty member...or at least several faculty members? That does not seem very likely or feasible.</p>
<p>Most people choose who to do a lesson with based on that teachers reputation and recommendations from other students or teachers.</p>
<p>Other than reading the teachers’ bios, she won’t really have a basis to choose… and doesn’t know any of the current students in any of the programs she is applying to. How do you get such contact?</p>
<p>Most of D’s rec’s as an entering freshman came from her research her voice teacher had conducted. And most of that was word of mouth from fellow teachers and research as to who was producing successful young singers(checking out young singers bios from competitions and YAPS). Later as a senior, when she was researching grad schools, she got most of her information by networking with students , teachers and professional singers at summer programs and music competitions.</p>
<p>A few suggestions for getting info on teachers:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Ask your own private teacher. If they do not know anything about the teachers, ask them if they have any contacts that would.</p></li>
<li><p>Call the school and ask if it is possible to be given contact information (usually email) for two or three voice students who could tell you about the program. One of the things that you would want to ask them is how the voice teachers differ (i.e. style of teaching–harsh vs. firm vs. supportive, vs. sacharine; focus of teaching–good with technique, with interpretation, with languages, etc.).</p></li>
<li><p>Get a sample lesson with a local teacher who would be able to tell you things about voice teachers at schools you are interested in. This teacher should probably be a university teacher and have placed students in a variety of good programs including grad programs. Tell this teacher upfront on the phone or in the email what you want (i.e. suggestions for suitable teachers for your child)–they may tell you on the phone that they really can’t help you, but ideally they can direct you to someone that can. Even if you have to drive three or four hours one way to get to such a teacher, it is probably worthwhile if you otherwise have no clue about decent teachers at places to which you are applying.</p></li>
<li><p>Even if your child doesn’t know anyone in the program, she may know people who do. If she has been to summer programs, she may have met students that know somebody who would know about the program. Network! </p></li>
<li><p>Look at the College Cofidential music admissions threads for 2007 to 2010 for students that either were accepted or chose to attend the schools you are interested in. Send a private message to those people over CC. Obviously those who have been attending have the best information, but if you can’t find a few of those, try those who auditioned–they probably gleaned information during their application process and may have had sample lessons. I’ve never had a request for info turned down, although some people know more than others.</p></li>
<li><p>If all else fails, just book a couple of sample lessons at the school. At each lesson, your child should ask the teacher who they would recommend if they were unable to accommodate your child in their studio. Make sure your child has some practice phrasing this rather delicate question: do not ask “who are the best teachers?” since that will put the teacher in a very awkward position; rather, ask “which teachers do you believe would be most suitable for me?”; be certain to include the proviso, “if you didn’t have room in your studio” or something to that effect.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you both! Very good suggestions!</p>
<p>Well, I was going to throw my hat in the ring, but violindad has already said it all! When my D started looking at going into music, we were complete babes in the woods, but between talking with her teacher (we went to one lesson with a list of schools and a list of teachers, and got some feedback on who might be a good fit) and lots of good advice from the folks on this forum, we finally got it together enough to schedule a couple of sample lessons. That was well worth the effort and expense, and made all the difference in the end.</p>
<p>Also, when it comes in regards to trial lessons cost, it is up to the teacher, some teachers charged me. While others didn’t.</p>
<p>Son had 6 sample lessons plus some revisits after he was accepted and we didn’t pay for a single one.</p>