I am thinking what many others are thinking. If you can’t find what you want at SLC, please don’t make assumptions about almost any of the colleges you listed.
That is not Colorado College. Nor Smith, nor Bard. All are rigorous and you will be with pretty academically inclined students who are there to learn.
Yet you want something unstructured, as per your original post. You want less rigor. Finding both is extremely difficult. Your post is full of contradiction. You also claim to need structure, but that you want to learn at your own pace. Then you said
Please understand that it’s called EARNING a degree for a reason. You will not find a college that will let you do whatever you want to do and hand you a degree at the end of four years. I think it’s good you’re taking a break because it is clear that you don’t know what you want. I also get a real sense that you need a bit of time to mature. One day you will have a job and you won’t be able to just do whatever you want. Colleges have requirements for a reason and while you can find colleges that are less rigorous and less/more structured, you don’t get to do what you like.
Please do not apply to music school unless you are 100% certain you want to major in music.
I actually think the main issue here is rigor. You are at a rigorous school. You’ve completed your freshman year, correct? We don’t know your grades, but I’m guessing you at least passed your classes, as you talked about transferring credits. Why not try community college and then transfer? Community college is less rigorous and there will be less intensity.
I agree that some of the less selective smaller colleges might be good for you. Bennington is a good possibility. Maybe Evergreen, but I don’t know much about it other than it’s quite a quirky place. Lewis and Clark is meant to have a nice vibe. Maybe look into Lycoming, McDaniel, or Christopher Newport. Good luck to you.