Hi everyone! I’m an international student and I’m starting my undergrad in Voice Performance in the fall. The process is almost over— all decisions are out! Now just time to pick! This forum has been extremely helpful to me as someone who knows next to nothing about music schools in the US. However, I haven’t really seen much talk about UNCSA. Does anyone have any experience with UNCSA? How is UNCSA viewed in the music world? Please give me as much information as possible!
I have been accepted to other schools (Peabody, CMU, MSM, IU, Ithaca, etc) but UNCSA is giving me the best package and I’m most likely to commit because of that.
Any insight would help! Thank you guys.
Tagging @helpingthekid73 who I think has a student there?
Hi. My S21 is finishing his senior year in the acting program. I cannot say enough about the bfa acting program and the school as a whole. The dorms and town of Winston Salem are amazing. The food had been a huge issue but I believe that has been dramatically improved this year. The issue is that I don’t know anything about the music program. Happy to answer general questions about the school and the incredible quality of the acting program.
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My kid got his masters in music performance (trumpet) from UNCSA…and he loved his two years there.
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My son is a horn player and will not apply till Fall but we have had a lesson and meeting with the horn professor who is also one of the assistant deans. She was amazing and really put us at ease about the music school in general.
It sounds like a great school with tons of opportunities to collaborate between disciplines.
It’s definitely one we are keeping on the list.
Awesome! Is there a reason he picked UNCSA over other schools?
I think the main reason I’m asking is because I haven’t seen much talk about UNCSA on the music major forum. So I’m not sure how UNCSA is viewed in the music world. I know it’s a hot topic in the drama world, though.
My S also was accepted to UNCSA undergrad in voice, and although he’s committing elsewhere (where he has essentially a full ride), he really liked UNCSA and we’ve talked about how if he goes to grad school it would be on the list. I would say it’s a bit of an unheralded gem, as the voice faculty are very good and it is a small, supportive environment with only about 50 students in the entire voice division. I also think it’s a really good value—important not to go broke to be a singer! Just be aware it’s not in a big metropolitan area, and it’s fairly car dependent, so you will need to make friends with people with cars. 
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The applied teacher on his instrument was fabulous.
THe school is about 2 miles outside of the main city and there are ubers and shuttles (mostly to shopping). About 75% of the students have cars and parking on campus can be an annoyance but is definitely doable. The city of Winston Salem is a significant mid sized city with a lot of suburbs. Totally agree about value, as a full pay family we pay less than. half of any of S21s other options.
Also, you will work with the best D and P students in the country. The professionalism of that group and talent esp for the wig and costuming department is insane. The musicals and operas literally look professional. My S was in a period piece and the costume, wigs and facial hair was crazy. Most of it was custom made for him, including period undergarments! I dont think that any other program has anything similar.
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