Family not reeeeeeally aboard

uskoolfish
Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:57:40 +0000

First off, grandparents don’t really get to decide what their grandchildren study in college. It is very debatable whether we, as parents, have much of a say either, but I guess that if we are paying we can try to exert some influence…

I think that you are particularly sensitive to your parents reaction to your daughter’s choice of becoming a musical theatre major because you harbor some reservations yourself.

So this is the talk I give myself on the subject:

I am happy she has a talent/ passion and is pursuing it.

There are no guarantees in life and no one really knows what they will be doing 5 or 10 years from now.

If she doesn’t nuture her talent now, she will probably never have the opportunity.

She will have plenty of time to go to graduate school and pursue a law degree (entertainment law??) or an MBA (music business??) if she chooses.

By studying music, she is creating a niche for herself which can be marketable: casting agent, producer, public relations/ marketing in theatre/ music / entertainment executive, etc…

By challenging herself as a performer, she will be learning many marketable skills (public speaking, good interpersonal skills, etc.)

As a music major ( D is pursuing a BM degree in Vocal performance with a musical theatre concentration from NYU) she can get a master’s degree in music education in a year.

She is attending a school that is highly rated and whose degree is worth something in the job market regardless of her major becasue it has high academic standards across the board.

She is able to pursue 2 minors and still graduate in 4 years (one in English and American literature and one in the Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology.) This makes her well rounded and prepared for many options.

She is able to balance both performing and internship experiences.

Who is to really say that she won’t make it on Bdway? Or a national tour? Who can really predict now how theatre/ music will be a part of her life in the future?

And the most compelling reason: she is happy!