<p>Angst, it all depends what you are looking for. My daughter is applying to Syracuse for their well regarded BFA program in Musical Theater. I have no idea if they have any programs in contemporary voice. </p>
<p>This goes back to an earlier discussion…if your daughter wants to pursue a BM or a BFA degree in vocal performance, a musical theater degree, or just what. Once you make THAT decision, then you have to decide what type of learning environment you want. For instance, there are conservatory style schools where everyone there is in the performing arts and you do that 24/7. Or there are BFA degree programs in a larger university (my D’s choice) where you still have conservatory training the majority of the time but there is a liberal arts component (which varies from school to school…ie., is greater at UMich and NYU than at Carnegie Mellon), and not everyone attending the larger university is there for performing arts. It is like a small conservatory in a larger whole. Next week we are visiting Boston Conservatory. If my D were to attend there, it would be completely different than if she were to attend NYU in this very way. </p>
<p>Your D must figure out which type of degree focus she wants, then find the educational environment that suits her preferences. </p>
<p>I am not sure what degree you are talking of at Syracuse. For MT, it is well regarded. I am not up on their offerings for vocal performance or pop music. I do not think too many schools deal with contemporary music training and in fact, Berklee is one of the best for that. As discussed before, I do not think a MT program is a good fit for your daughter. Anyone going into that must want to really go into musical theater, not pop. It involves being a triple threat with voice, dance, and acting, to equal degrees. Another option for your daughter is to get a BM or a BFA in vocal performance but that will involve some classical voice training which you have said she is not too interested in. </p>
<p>So, it is hard to advise you unless your D picks which focus she wants to go for. If you research contemporary vocal training, Berklee is going to pop up. Not sure what else but that one is one of the best for that field. </p>
<p>Susan</p>