Not only do students use technology to explore their options, but colleges also can use it to find out about applicants.

Consultants Halley Shefler (from ArtsBridge Educational Consultants), former dean of admissions for the Boston Conservatory, and Shiv Gaglani, a 2006 West Shore Jr./Sr. High and 2010 Harvard graduate who recently started his own standardized-test and college-application consulting company called SumEx, said students should use their social networking sites to their advantage.

For example, Shefler said teens could post videos of themselves singing or photos of their work with community or church groups…

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As the college acceptance letters started landing in our mailbox recently, I spoke with Halley Shefler, founder and CEO of an organization called “The Arts Edge” — which offers educational consulting for students seeking admission to visual and performing arts programs.

Because some college theater programs require that students audition as part of the admissions process, our 17-year-old daughter Lizabeth is one of many students fanning out across the country to compete for coveted spots…

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To learn more about what’s involved in being a prospective visual or performing art major, I talked with Halley Shefler, former dean of admissions at both the Boston Conservatory and the School of Music at Boston University. She is now a college [admissions] consultant at ArtsBridge (formerly The Arts Edge), which works with students who want to major in music, theatre, arts, and dance.

Here are six of Halley Shefler’s suggestions on how artistic students—and their parents—can navigate the admission process:

[Get more advice from U.S. News's Guide to Admissions.]

1. Don’t apply where everybody else is. Ambitious students who are aiming for the same elite schools that are on everyone’s short list will usually be disappointed. These schools are overrun with applications and will reject most students. In musical theater, for instance, applicants tend to flock to the University of Michigan, New York University, Boston Conservatory, Carnegie Mellon University, and the College-Conservatory of Music, which is part of the University of Cincinnati.

Other wonderful school in musical theater, Shefler suggests, include Syracuse University,University of the Arts, Elon University, Otterbein College, Point Park University, Millikin University,Montclair State University, and Florida State University.

“You don’t need to go to Juilliard, NYU, or the Cincinnati Conservatory to make it in the arts,” Shefler emphasized.

[Compare schools specializing in the arts.]

2. Solicit opinions from experts. It’s a reality that many stage parents believe their teenagers are far more talented than they are. With inflated opinions of their abilities, Shefler has seen countless teenagers apply to highly selective schools where they have no hope of attending. Families should ask outside experts to critique their students’ talent.

3. Look for joint auditions. Going to auditions can be expensive, which is why some schools in the art fields hold joint auditions.

Read more at US News » 

Photo by Liz Linder • www.lizlinder.com

The Audition Workshop gives students and families the unique opportunity to “audition” in front of a premier faculty panel. The faculty comes from the profession, the colleges, or a combination of the two. We will be honest, direct, but tell it to you straight. You must know this is not for the “faint of heart”.

This Evaluation is for those who want professional opinions to give them the edge for upcoming auditions, including graduate school, and to tell them honestly how competitive they are.  A great opportunity for those who are not sure of the landscape and level outside of their area.  These are decision making faculty for their respective colleges…they will let you know if you are on track and if not, ArtsBridge will lay out a plan for you. Contact us for information.

The process is:

• The student auditions for the faculty panel.
• The faculty will evaluate each student just as they would for a real audition.
• After all the “auditions” the students will have an opportunity to work as a group with the faculty panel on repertoire choices, and all aspects of the audition. Expect them to be frank!
• The students will have the opportunity to ask questions about their performance and audition techniques in a safe and supportive setting.
• Following the workshop, a meeting with ArtsBridge and the student and family can be arranged at an additional fee, either in person or on Skype, to discuss the audition and recommendations going forward.

(855) 778-ARTS (2787)

or

Please contact us to sign up
or for further information!

After watching hours of wonderful performances, the judges chose Rain Halbert as the winner. Ms. Halbert earned a scholarship and will be attending the Arts Edge Summer (now ArtsBridge) Program.  This particular program runs from August 9th to August 20th.

Here are a few other highlights from the press release,

The elite Arts Edge Summer program, offered August 9 through 20, gives aspiring singers, dancers and actors specialized guidance on the admissions process from prestigious performing arts schools while helping students hone their performances. High school and college transfer students seriously considering a college major in musical theater will learn how to make their college applications, portfolios and auditions stand out so they can get in. The Arts Edge Summer scholarship, with a value of $1,950, will cover Ms. Halbert’s full tuition for the summer program. The scholarship does not include accommodations, meals or transportation.

Continue reading on Examiner.com 

A series of evening lectures at Chelsea Studios

151 West 26^th Street – 6^th floor New York, NY 10001

August 10^th – August 19^th, 2010

Reserve your spot now, as space is limited.

Cost: $20 per lecture (For multiple tickets, please email Kristy at kristy@theartsedge.com)

Talk 1: How Do I Know if I’ve Got What it Takes?

August 10th 5:30-7:00pm – Michael Cassara

New York City casting director Michael Cassara will give you a candid approach to the business and what it means to succeed. This Talk promises to be very informative, fun and Michael will leave room for lots of Q & A.

Michael Cassara, CSA is a Casting Director, Director and Producer based in New York City and dedicated to developing and fostering the growth of new musicals, plays, and film projects. Michael is the resident casting director of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, where he has cast over 40 individual projects since the festival’s inception in 2004. Michael recently cast his first feature film, Clear Blue Tuesday, directed by Elizabeth Lucas. Originally a performer, Michael is a native Clevelander and a graduate of the musical theatre program at Otterbein College. He regularly teaches and lectures on musical theatre and the entertainment industry, in New York City and throughout the world. For more information please visit his website at http://www.michaelcassara.net

Talk 2: Vocal Fitness

August 11th 5:30-7:00pm – Kevin Wilson

Performing more than eight shows a week on Broadway can certainly put a strain on your voice. What do professionals and aspiring performers do to protect their instrument – their voice? Kevin Wilson will share his tips for vocal heath and wellness.

Kevin Wilson, Kevin holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from University of Central Oklahoma, and a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from the New England Conservatory of Music. Along with his additional studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, he has continued his studies in vocal pedagogy with New York Singing Teachers Associations professional voice program, through various workshops with the National Association for Teachers of Singing, and studied Anatomy and Physiology at the Sargent School of Health and Rehabilitation Services at Boston University. Kevin has studied voice with Tony Gonzalez, Marilyn Govich, Kay Creed, Gustavo Halley, Mark St. Laurent, Carole Haber, and Maitland Peters. He is currently a member of the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the New York Singing Teachers Association (NYSTA). He is former faculty of Marymount Manhattan College and Brown University, and is now on faculty at The Boston Conservatory.

Talk 3: S²S – Selecting your Stretch to Safe Schools

August 12th 5:30-6:30pm – Halley Shefler

Learn how to think about your college list, what is important, what is realistic and how to figure out where you should spend the next four years

Halley Shefler – Principal and Founder of The Arts Edge has worked in higher education for close to thirty years, Halley brings a rich and unique expertise to the field of college advising. Her considerable professional experience encompasses the full range of the college admissions process, from secondary school teaching and advising (both public and independent) to college recruiting, admissions, and financial aid. Halley served as the Dean of Admissions for The Boston Conservatory for eleven years, where she oversaw all aspects of the enrollment process from admissions and recruiting to the awarding of financial aid and merit scholarships. Her other positions in college and university administration include Director of Admissions for Boston University’s College of Fine Arts – School of Music – and Director of Academic Affairs for the Longy School of Music. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Halley earned her Masters’ degree at Boston University.

Talk 4: The Audition – It’s Not Just The Notes

August 16th 5:30-6:30pm – Halley Shefler (see bio Talk 3)

After years of hearing auditions and preparing students for auditions, Halley can offer you some insights into what a good audition is, what being prepared means, and what not to worry about.

Talk 5: College Night

August 17th 5:30-7:30pm – Performing Arts Schools

Meet and hear from college representatives from some of the top Performing Arts programs such as:

Boston Conservatory

College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) – University of Cincinnati

Carnegie Mellon University

The Juilliard School

Manhattan School of Music

Mannes, The New School for Music

Marymount Manhattan College

Muhlenberg College

New York University

Otterbein College

Pace University

Millikin University

University of the Arts

Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University

Hartt School

Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University

Ithaca College

Montclair State University

University of Miami

Centenary College

Syracuse University

Emerson College

Purchase College

Hear the differences, the similarities, and how to decide what is the right place for you.

Talk 6: The Business of Casting

August 18th 5:30-7:00pm – Jay Binder

What Are We Looking For? Veteran casting director, Jay Binder will share his years of experience in the business of casting for Broadway, theater and film and where he sees the business headed.

Jay Binder C.S.A has cast more than 50 Broadway shows including the Broadway productions of A Chorus Line (revival), The Odd Couple, Butley, Virginia Woolf, Sweet Charity, Movin’ Out, Urinetown, The Iceman Cometh, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, The Lion King, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, Lost in Yonkers, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway and Encores! Film: Dreamgirls, Chicago. Television: Once Upon a Mattress, The Music Man, Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures Television. Seven-time Artios Award winner.

Talk 7: It’s More than the Size of the Sheets: A Parent’s Primer to Preparing for College from a Dean of Students’ Perspective

August 19th 5:30pm-7:00pm – Carmen Griggs, Ph.D

In her talk entitled “It’s More than the Size of the Sheets: A College Primer for Parents from a Dean of Students’ Perspective, Dr. Carmen Griggs will share critical information about the college search from a Dean of Students’ perspective focusing on questions to ask campus officials about key student services and programs. She will also discuss what parents can do right now to prepare their son or daughter for future success in college including some important topics to discuss before he/she leaves home. Dr. Griggs will close with a brief look ahead to the joys and challenges of the first few months of college. There will be time for questions and discussion.

Dr. Carmen Griggs has spent nearly two decades as a college Chief Student Affairs Officer working with both high school and college students. As Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students at the prestigious Boston Conservatory, Dr. Griggs has developed support services designed to meet the special needs of exceptionally talented performing arts students in music, dance, and theater. Over her long career, Dr. Griggs has worked with thousands of aspiring perfoming arts students and their parents as they grapple with choosing a college and the many joys and challenges of the college experience. Dr. Griggs received her MSW and then her Ph.D. from The University of Iowa with concentrations in Student Development in Postsecondary Education and Higher Education Administration.