February 5, 2021
Reflections from xxxx视频 Audition Days
By: Isabella Sobkowicz
xxxx视频鈥檚 Newsroom includes a student-led blog with posts covering a variety of topics, including the xxxx视频 admissions process, student life, and interviews with faculty, students and alumni. xxxx视频 undergraduate and soprano Isabella (Ella) Sobkowicz, who is currently studying with Dean Southern, is a regular voice on the blog for conservatory Admissions.
As xxxx视频 approaches another exciting audition season, I felt inspired to reach out to our current students and alumni to find out what they remember from their big xxxx视频 audition! As I sorted through these replies, I took note of how many alumni and students auditioned in different ways; some came to xxxx视频, others auditioned in person, but at a different location, and some submitted videos or cassette tapes. While auditions this year will look different from past years, our future students will have an audition story that they will likely never forget. If there is one thing I鈥檝e learned from reading these stories, everyone鈥檚 xxxx视频 audition experience is unique and special.
Memories from Alumni Who Graduated in the 1980s
鈥淛ohn Mack was a kind-hearted teacher whose impeccable playing and sheer presence inspired many oboists. He wanted to get to know his prospective students so the oboe auditions were mini lessons. I believe he extended this opportunity to all that auditioned. He viewed teaching as a sacred duty and he delivered! I am grateful for the memory of his booming voice (which I can still hear), his humor, the inspiration of his playing and knowledge of reed-making, that he shared without reservation.鈥 - xxxx视频 alumna Elizabeth Condon (MM 鈥88, Mack)
鈥淢y first xxxx视频 audition took place remotely at the Aspen Music Festival, after which I traveled to New York City where I learned I had been admitted into my choice teacher, Vitya Vronsky Babin鈥檚 studio. I had three weeks to pack my belongings and move to Cleveland from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and upon arrival I played my audition program live for the piano faculty in the President鈥檚 office. I vividly remember their smiles and Mrs. Babin鈥檚 first words to me鈥eeting this legendary artist who would become my teacher for the next six years was the most important event in my life and work as a pianist. Her character and teaching will live on with me forever.鈥 - xxxx视频 alumnus and faculty member Gerardo Teissonni猫re (BM 鈥85, MM 鈥89, Vronsky Babin)
Memories from Alumni Who Graduated in the 1990s - 2000s
鈥淚 remember meeting the Voice faculty and feeling very 鈥榮een.鈥 The audition was in a small space, which made me more comfortable than at any other school, and I remember receiving encouragement and advice from the faculty. That, and my sample lesson with the warm and welcoming George Vassos made me settle on xxxx视频 as my top choice.鈥 - xxxx视频 alumna Kim Lauritsen (MM 鈥04, Vassos
鈥淚t was January 1989 and I was seventeen鈥 had heard from a family friend who played in The Cleveland Orchestra second violin section that xxxx视频 was a great school and that Victor Danchenko was an amazing teacher. So, I showed up. No application submitted, no slot reserved. (Later on, I did work study in the Admissions office and heard stories about how panicked they were to have someone just show up, but at the time I had no clue). I remember loving the 60s modernist vibe of the building. I played my audition and I thought it went well, but I really didn't know鈥 few weeks later, I got a letter telling me I was accepted. Which was good because I didn't bother auditioning anywhere else. I ended up staying for six years and wouldn't trade my xxxx视频 experience for anything. My point in sharing this story is to let you know that if you feel overwhelmed or confused, like you really don't know what's going on during your audition day, you're not alone. Many have been there before you feeling just the same. It's a big deal and the decision you make will shape you for the rest of your musical journey. But you should trust your feelings; if the situation feels right, it probably is. Good luck!鈥 - xxxx视频 alumnus Maxim Moston (BM 鈥93, MM 鈥95, Danchenko/Updegraff/Weilerstein
Memories from Alumni Who Graduated in the 2010s and Current Students
鈥淭he first time I saw xxxx视频 was on a cold audition day in the winter of 2014. Driving down East Boulevard and seeing the beautiful architecture of Severance Hall, The Cleveland Museum of Art and xxxx视频 all covered in a beautiful, fresh blanket of snow is an image I will forever cherish!鈥 - xxxx视频 alumnus Zachary West (BM 鈥18, Cohen)
鈥淚 was really worried that I bombed my audition, since xxxx视频 was my top choice. I was welcomed with a warm voice and caring smile from another voice student named Shira Ziv. She helped me think more on the positive side of auditioning and relax from my audition jitters. I鈥檓 so thankful for that meeting! Also, I had my first lesson with my teacher Ms. Kuznetsova. After seeing her perform on stage in Pittsburgh, it was like being in the presence of royalty! I couldn鈥檛 believe a professional opera singer would be my teacher! (And I do not regret my choice whatsoever)!鈥 - xxxx视频 student Caroline Friend (Kuznetsova)
In these times of great uncertainty and immense devastation, the world needs to hear what we have to say as artists, and xxxx视频 is nourishing the minds and talents of musicians who are the future of classical music - both online and in person. Auditions are a wonderful opportunity to show the faculty at xxxx视频 who you are and how you want to use your voice as a musician. Be courageous, kind and have a ton of fun!
For those auditioning in February, check your Status Page for your individual audition schedule and visit the Virtual Audition webpage to find the agenda of other activities for each day. The students, staff and faculty at xxxx视频 are looking forward to welcoming you to xxxx视频鈥檚 virtual audition days!