<p>Please, if I am wrong, forgive me, but I’m feeling like some are thinking that Artists Diplomas/Certificates are the “lesser” or “easier” path to take, and they are not.
Artists Diplomas are geared toward students who have completed grad school but who might not feel quite ready to audition for a Young Artist Program, or those who need to work on acquiring additional/different rep. It is a way to ensure a weekly lesson and gain performance experience. They also provide additional opportunity for study to singers who may have already been performing, but who realize that they must have more supervised training in order to progress.They are not for the faint of heart as they are rigorous and very difficult to gain entrance to, even if one has gone straight through undergrad to grad student in voice!
For example, here is what is written on CCM’s web site: (note that there are even different types of “specializations” within the vocal path.
Artist Diploma in Voice
Cincinnati audition and interview required. This is a highly
selective post-master’s degree program for the exceptional
singer who wishes to specialize in a particular area of nonoperatic
vocal literature, such as song repertoire in a particular
language, contemporary music, baroque music, etc.
The applicant must present a written proposal (eight copies) at
the time of the audition. The proposal should outline the specialization,
including possible course work that would support
it. Possible recital programs should also be submitted. Upon
acceptance into the program, the student’s proposal will be
reviewed and modified as needed by the advising committee.
Audition repertoire should represent the area of specialization
with at least four selections. Additional contrasting repertoire may be required</p>
<p>Artist Diploma - Singers (BTW, there are no openings in this program open right now)
The program is limited to twelve singers who will perform at least four major roles in fully-staged productions. Students receive private coaching, intensive actor training and role preparation together with movement, period dance, language, audition and career management classes, and master classes with some of the finest artists in the world of opera.</p>
<p>Given the above, unless the OP has been keeping up her vocal training consistently while working on her other degree, I would think that this is not a viable path to pursue. Things have changed quite a bit over the past 10-20 years, and while some graduate degree programs may give consideration to s student who has not gone the traditional route through voice degrees, the better schools will not ( especially not in the case of a soprano). It’s a matter of “paying one’s dues” and being prepared to hit the ground running. By reading the paragraph above, you can see that there is no time for a “learning curve”.
Even if one wants to teach, there is quite a difference. Perhaps it is possible to teach in a community music school or as a private teacher to high school age students, but look at the bios written for voice faculty at the top schools- there may be a mention of their colleges and teachers, but it is all about the roles that have been performed, festivals attended,etc.
In the case of the OP, I would still suggest that she evaluate her qualifications, especially in light of what can be found on school’s websites, and if she feels that she has a shot at it, she should contact the heads of vocal departments at a couple of schools to discuss her plans and options.</p>