D who graduated NYU Steinhardt with a concentration in MT had ballet/tap training for many years starting in elementary school. In high school she stopped ballet because of time constraints, but continued taking tap in lieu of gym class. She began doing school shows in 7th grade and always got leads/ supporting roles depending on her grade level. She began to take private voice lessons at about 12 years old focusing on classical music in order to practice for NYSSMA. In high school, she began weekly voice lessons that continued to support her classical training, but also began to build MT repertoire. From the age of 9 she attended a performing arts camp (Usdan) that offered excellent training in dance and theatre. They put on musicals each summer and she was always the female lead. She was very involved in choir and founded and managed an accapella group in high school. Meetings were at our house for 4 years.
The summer before senior year she attended the NYU Steinhardt Musical Theatre intensive. She was lucky to be accepted to NYU for talent based on her work that summer.
She also applied and was accepted to Muhlenberg (lots of merit aid), GW (with presidential talent scholarship in voice), American (with merit aid and $ from music department). Since she had the talent acceptance from NYU, she didn’t apply to any other audition MT programs, but was accepted in Brandeis (merit aid) and Barnard as well. Decided on NYU in the end, especially with a non-need based talent scholarship.
D wanted a BM program as a first choice because her strength was voice and she wanted the music degree if she someday wants to teach. She also only looked at very strong academic programs that offered performance options. She wanted the option of double majoring or having strong minors. She ended up as an English lit minor and a minor in The Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology.