"How do I chose a graduate program?"

Q&A with Joyce DiDonato

Questions from Karen and Kirsten about choosing the best graduate program for voice performance.

www.joycedidonato.com
www.yankeediva.blogspot.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Opera
• Joyce DiDonato
• Graduate Schools
• Conservatory
• Vocal training

[Lizzyjean5]

Hi Joyce!!!

This an amazing resource, thank you so much for these! I have been a huge fan of yours for a long time and to have someone I admire so much be so open, is hugely encouraging! Can I post questions here or would you rather we send them to you at your AOL address?

[TheYankeediva]

@Lizzyjean5 Either way should work!! Cheers!

[temperanceluv81]

I didn't see the link you were taking about....

[TheYankeediva]

Sorry, it's actually just the title of the book, "The Naked Voice" by W. Stephen Smith. I believe it's available on Amazon.com! Cheers!

[escamillion]

I have been thinking a lot of this "let your voice be what it is" vs. "imitate/darken your sound" dilemma. How should i build my voice? Imitating the sound -method is faster, easier and MANY singers get along with it very good. Letting my voice be what it is -method seems to be a longer road. And when i look at international singing competitions, i see a lot of sound imitators/voice darkening singers winning competitions, and getting the jobs. Do i have the time, money(!!) and nerves to keep up

[semerdjianlaurel]

Joyce,

Thank you so much for this video. I just finished my first week of Graduate classes at University of North Texas and this was the exact struggle that I was dealing with during applications and auditions. I found an amazing teacher and am looking forward to the future. Thank you!!!!

All the Best

[JaimieAppleton]

I almost screamed "YES! EXACTLY! AMEN, SISTER!!" when you talked about the "red flag" of a voice studio with voice students who all sounds the same. I too am a HUGE believer in adjusting technique to the uniqueness of each individual voice and have seen so many voices destroyed (too strong a word?) because of formulaic teaching methods. Good thing I didn't scream or my parents would have flipped out!

[JaimieAppleton]

4:00 AMEN!

[bassocantante]

Brava, Joyce.

Truthful, thoughtful and helpful to our young singers!



[lightninghead17]

This is so wonderful!Thank you for posting this. I saw you at Spivey Hall recently and you're so inspirational! Thank you for all of you posts.

[Savedpianolover]

Wow, this is wonderful to hear. I'm not a singer, I'm a pianist, but this is exactly the advice that I needed. I'm a Freshman and I'm already stressed about graduate programs. I'll have to thank my vocalist friends for telling me to look you up. :)

[Artsywinelover]

Joyce! This is fabulous! Thank you for doing this! Michael and I already got tickets for Philadelphia in February. Hope all is well with you! Hugs, Paulo Faustini

[Lizzyjean5]

@TheYankeediva

Thanks! In that case...

I'm wondering how a young singer navigates their way through genres and niches in the music world. If you have an affinity for early music, how do you pursue it without pigeon-holing yourself and still cultivating other things like lieder and opera? In choosing a teacher to study with at the graduate level, should you be looking for someone who specifies in early music or keeps you open doing "everything"?

Thank you so much!

Liz Humphries

[McKunda77]

Joyce,

I just recently watched a video of your "Una voce poco fa"... yesterday actually! It was the first time I've listened to you and, naturally, I'm entranced!!

My first, of many, questions would have to be, Do you have any regrets in your past? They don't have to be anything in your music career but more of something that shaped you as a person and, consequently, as an artist.

Keep the videos coming! I'm hooked.

Best,

Edward - a 21 year old Baritone