Thank you for that insight. My daughter will not be applying to the top stand-alone conservatories so she will not be competing at that level. Interesting that it’s a strong year - not sure if there’s anything to do about that other than being well-prepared for auditions!
She is trying to set up a couple more trial lessons and will ask the question about open spots.
Just an update for those keeping track of the never-ending viola teacher changes…Dimitri Murrath is leaving San Francisco Conservatory of Music. While he has not yet publicly announced his next position, one of my kids heard he is returning to NEC (this was while said kid was at NEC for a summer program so likely reliable).
Open spots change a lot. My son planned to graduate next year, so there should be one spot opening; however, he hurt his wrist quite badly in the spring and had to rest almost the entire semester. So now he can’t graduate next summer, one spot no longer open. On the other hand, another student planned to take five years but was happily surprised with a job offer, so he graduates early and one spot opens. These things happen at random time. It also depends on the students. If a professor finds a student highly teachable to their teaching style, they will make all efforts to open a spot.