Hi everyone. I'm a young student, 20 years old, who loves to sing. I am studying the complete roles of Butterfly and Luisa Miller at the moment with a teacher in the California bay area, actually in the east bay. She is the teacher of Brian Asawa and Von Stade as well, and my progress with her has been very encouraging over the last few years. I am looking into conservatories for next year. I took a year off after high school to travel in Europe so I'm just getting around to thinking about schools now.
Since I am happy with my teacher and my progress, I wonder if I should go to conservatory at all. I am thinking of taking that money and putting it into private lessons and classes instead.
Is this a stupid idea? What can a school like Juilliard or Eastman give me that I couldn't get just studying by myself? People say performing experience. There are many small companies to get performing experience with here in California. On the other hand, a young spinto (possibly dramatic someday but I'm not thrilled with wAgner so I hope I stay spinto forever) doesn't often get cast in performances anywhere, even in conservatory. So I'm in a dilemma. My teacher leaves it up to me.
Advice?
Annabelle from the beautiful hills of Oakland
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