HELP! I want to be a performing artist - which Universities and programs should I consider?

-Hello,

I'm currently a music major at a community college. I'm planning on transferring and have been seriously debating NYU Tisch's program or Steinhart's program. However, I want to be a performing artist and don't know what would be more beneficial: a music business degree or a musical theatre degree.



I'm a vocalist and a violinist. I've taken music theory and am learning piano. I've also been in a theater production and have trained in musical theatre and acting. I have and am currently taking dance classes (ballet and jazz). If I had to level my proficiencies in these genres, I would say I am very musically proficient, a good actress, and am still developing my dancing skills.



This brings me to my next question. As far as universities I am very interested in NYU. However, I'm not quite sure of the differences between Tisch and Steinhart. I'm also not sure of which program of each school to apply for! (Tisch's Clive Davis, Tisch's Drama, Steinhart's Music Business, Steinhart's Music Theatre). Haha I know this is so confusing but I am trying to get a clearer vision of what I should apply for. I'm also to open to other University suggestions - it's just I feel being in New York itself is a very stimulating environment for a performing, and any, artist. I've also heard of positive hings about CalArts but again, not sure what school and program to apply for.



PS: By performing artist I mean mean making my own albums, touring, possibly acting in films, Broadway. I know this all this is a mouthful ... but I can't help but dream big :)Well it really depends on where you live. Sounds like your kiving a while from here, but I would suggest The university of waterloo, canada or perhaps something quite prestige, like the university of michigan or similar performing arts schools.



Here's a link to a great website: http://worldranking.blogspot.com/2010/11鈥?/a>



Best of luck in the future!







Hope this helped!

Amy
All of your choices are reasonable. You are trying to get into an extremely competitive field. Every class you take may improve your odds.

You have to do a lot locally before you can move on up.

Make sure you audition for everything within driving distance. If you do not get a part, offer to work back stage or even paint scenery. Just being around you will learn a lot. Continue to study Dance, Acting and Singing. You have to be great in at least one area and be good enough that the rest of the cast can work around you.

Attitude is extremely important. Show everyone respect, even if you do not think they deserve it. Never miss. Never be late.

Good Luck
Hey!

First off, I think it's great that you like NYU! Its a fantastic university and it has an amazing music program. Unfortunately, I don't know very much about the music business program, but I do know about the musical theatre program. Tisch and Steinhart both have musical theatre programs, but they are different. The Steinhart program is through the vocal performance major, so the main focus is voice. Tisch is the school of the arts, so its musical theatre program is much more focused on acting and dancing. Obviously both schools cover singing, acting, and dancing, but the main focuses are different. Basically, Steinhart is for singers who like to act and Tisch is for actors who like to sing.

A very important thing to note about Tisch is that its entire program was remodeled about a year ago. The old program was called CAP21. CAP21 left Tisch to become its own conservatory and Tisch was left on its own. So if you are planning on auditioning for musical theatre at NYU, you should also heavily consider auditioning at CAP21 because, up until about a year ago, it was a part of NYU, and when people talk about the musical theatre program at Tisch, 9 times out of 10 they are actually talking about CAP21, before it left NYU.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you are successful!