Competitions, auditions and scholarships
Prepare for the stage and the application.
Winning a competition or a place at a strong music school takes more than practice. It takes the right repertoire, recordings that do you justice, and a plan that starts early.
Competition preparation
- Repertoire that fits the rules and your strengths
- Mock juries with written comments
- Recording guidance for video rounds
- Stage presence and managing nerves
U.S. college auditions
- A balanced list of conservatories and university music schools
- Prescreening recordings
- Live audition repertoire and mock auditions
- Theory and aural placement test preparation
- Interview practice and a musical résumé
Scholarship guidance
- Merit scholarships and need-based aid explained
- Graduate assistantships and fellowships
- A deadline calendar for every school
- Reviewing materials before you submit
Why scholarships?
My own studies at the Peabody Institute, West Virginia University and the National University of Singapore were funded by full scholarships. I know the process from the applicant's side and I share what worked.
A typical admissions year
- Spring–Summer
- Choose schools and repertoire. Start theory and ear training review.
- Sep–Oct
- Record prescreening videos. Finalize résumé and essays.
- Nov–Dec
- Submit applications. Many prescreening deadlines fall around December 1.
- Jan–Mar
- Live auditions, interviews and placement tests.
- Mar–May
- Compare offers and scholarships before the May 1 reply date.
No one can promise an admission or a scholarship. I promise a clear plan, honest feedback and steady preparation.
Tell me what you are preparing for.
A competition, an audition, a first conducting lesson or a concert season. Write to me and I will reply within a few days.
Start your plan