MichaelNKat

After much soul searching and gnashing of teeth, my daughter chose UArts over the other schools to which she was accepted. Without going through her entire deliberative process, here's why:

1. Very well balanced and intensive program. We did a chart of the entire MT curriculum divided into subject areas (acting, voice, dance, MT performance, theatre history) and also a chart showing the courses by semester. We compared it to similar charts we made for other schools and dicovered that UArts had not only a very balanced program among the various performance disciplines but also had significantly greater contact hours in each discipline than the other schools to which she was accepted. We also felt very comfortable with the individualized attention given by the voice teachers and the ability to change voice teachers to get the best match.

2. The enviroment is an extremely supportive one. The emphasis of the school seems to be one of maximizing the potential of each student instead looking to churn out cookiecutter "chorusboys" or "chorusgirls" who are of a style that matches whatever is currently in vogue. As my daughter put it, "The school feels like it will help me find the "star" in me and not mold me into its view of what it wants a graduate to be."

3. An extremely congenial and welcoming enviroment. The students my daughter encountered were open, warm and friendly. From what my daughter observed by sitting in on classes, the professors, all of whom are working pros, are very approachable and invested in the growth of the students.

4. Great performing arts spaces and studios. Dorms that are converted apartments with kitchens and private bathrooms for each room.

5. The location is an exciting and dynamic one. Right in the center of the performing arts district in Phila. Exposure to a ton of profesional theatre, touring companies and local profesional productions, as well as to ballet, opera and music. Masters classes regularly with "name" pros who perform at the Meriam Theatre. Within 5 - 15 minutes walking there are the Wilma Theatre, Meriam Theatre, Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, Prince Music Theatre, Walnut St Theatre and Forest Theatre. Broadway show touring companies, local productions, Pennsylvania Ballet, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Orchestra, Philly Pops with Peter Nero, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and more.

6. An abundance of performing opportunities in school productions commencing sophomore year. Seniors have an abundance of performing opportunities (by audition) at the profesional theatres in the area.

7. The cultural and social resources of Philadelphia. Within 15 - 20 minutes walking, the Phila Museum of Art, Franklin Institute and Museum of Natural Sciences. An incredible and safe city park system with thousands of acres of open and wooded spaces with bike trails and boating. Tons of restaurants, shopping, music venues, cafes.

8. And perhaps the most important, after sitting in on classes, it felt "right". My daughter stood out on Avenue of the Arts, looked south and looked north and said "Yeah, this is where I want to live for the next 4 years.

MichaelNKat

9. I neglected to also mention that UArts reputation in the profesional community is excellent. This was confirmed to me through profesional contacts in the business. UArts students work, not only locally but also on Broadway, in touring companies and on T.V.

MichaelNKat

Add this to the list. Just discovered:

10. One of the most reknowned Ear, Nose and Throat groups on the east coast (if not in the country) that specializes with vocal and instrumental performers is located 5 blocks from the school. The group consists of doctors, many of whom have extensive professional performing credentials, and vocal specialists who in addition to providing medical interventions also perform extensive vocal evaluations and put together comprehensive programs of exercises, technique and "preventative maintenance and care" for vocalists.

CoachC

I just read this last post and want to say YES! The practice to which Michael refers is actually probably the very best in the whole country - the head of the practice, Dr. Robert Sataloff, is the founder of "vocal arts medicine" - laryngology care specifically designed for the needs of perfomers. He himself has a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree as well as an MD. He also conducts a choir filled with doctors and other medical professionals in Philadelphia. (sooo cool!) One of the younger surgeons I work with was one of his fellows (doing her advanced surgical training with him) a few years ago, and he requires his fellows to be in the choir - so his people REALLY know singing, even if they aren't singers "first"!

MichaelNKat

Bumping for students who have been accepted and who are starting their deliberations.

bktheater

Thanks for this great information you posted. My D was accepted to U of Arts about 3 weeks ago and wasn't sure if it is as good a school for MT as Syracuse, Emerson or others that she did not get in to. She has a couple of other schools she got into, but this info. really has helped her. We are coming for a visit Apr9-11. Do you recommend anyone she should talk to?

MichaelNKat

Hi bktheatre and congratulations to your daughter! I PM'd you with some info in response to your PM and your post.

With regard to your question about UArts vs. Syracuse, my D was also accepted to MT at Syracuse with a significant 4 year academic scholarship. She attended summer intensives at both Syracuse and UArts. My daughter chose UArts based on her experiences at the summer intensives and is deliriously happy with her choice. She has found her professors/instructors to be experienced working pros who are also very effective educators. They are invested in the individual growth of the students and she has formed very close and warm mentoring relationships. My daughter has also made many friends and finds the students in the acting and MT programs at UArts generally to be very supportive of each others endeavors and successes. Living in center city Phila is a mecca for any student who enjoys city life. I will send you an email with some charts I made comparing the MT curriculum at UArts with that at Syracuse. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised with how they stack up.

bktheater

Thanks. That would be very helpful.

MichaelNKat

bktheater - I tried to send them to you through the CC email but discovered I couldn't link file attachments. If you send me an email through CC, it will show your actual email address and then I can send the charts to you.