Recent Posts

By Karen Kerr When families begin searching for the best music schools in the U.S., they’re often met with the same thing: rankings, lists, and conflicting opinions. But here’s the truth most lists miss:The “best” music school isn’t universal. It’s the school, or schools, that fit the student best. And finding that fit isn’t simple. Between conservatories, liberal arts colleges,

You want to study music in Los Angeles—for the energy, the industry, the possibilities. But when every program looks like a great option on paper, how do you know which one will actually move you forward?  Home to major universities and specialized conservatories, LA offers something for every type of student – let’s explore several of the city’s leading music

By Mark Small How Advanced Study Can Open Doors Across Performance, Business, and Beyond At a Glance When your path isn’t linear, but you know music is part of it Singer/composer Lucy Geller grew up in Eugene, Oregon, in a family that fostered the musical interests of both her and her older sister. “My parents are both lawyers, not musical,”

By Steve Lipman A Career That Shapes How Music Reaches the World A career as a music executive sits at the intersection of creativity and business. These are the professionals who help decide which artists are signed, how music is marketed, and how songs ultimately reach listeners around the world. For students and parents first exploring this path, it often

By Steve Lipman An Insider’s Straightforward Answer “How do I get into a good music school?” It’s one of the most common — and most loaded — questions we hear. Because “good” doesn’t just mean prestigious. It means the best-fit program. Excellent faculty.  The right culture. The right level of challenge. The right long-term fit for your musical and career

By Erin Chang The journey to a career in music often starts with one big question: where should I study? For many aspiring musicians, the answer points to the South. Known for its deep musical roots, thriving performance scenes, and strong sense of community, the South offers an environment where music is not just studied—it’s lived. From bustling music cities

By Karen Kerr At Inside Music Schools (IMS), we believe that extraordinary musical talent deserves extraordinary guidance—regardless of circumstance. Music schools are looking for artists with voice, discipline, and potential. But navigating the college admissions process for music programs is complex, time-intensive, and often inaccessible to students who lack specialized support. That’s where IMS steps in with community service. Through

By Rachel Hanusa Keck With thousands of music colleges to choose from around the country, the Pacific Northwest, comprising Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, offers some of the best and most unique programs to consider. This blog will provide a deep dive into University of Oregon School of Music, University of Puget Sound, Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University,

By Karen Kerr What Working with a Music Admissions Coach at IMS Really Feels Like For many families, choosing to support a student pursuing music seriously is both exciting and unsettling. You believe in your child’s talent — but the admissions process feels opaque, competitive, and filled with unspoken rules. Most parents worry they’ll either push too hard, not push

By Mark Small When Thornton School of Music at the University of California (USC) was founded, no one could have foreseen the significance of its location, 10 miles south of the future home of America’s entertainment industry. Thornton opened its doors in 1884 when Hollywood was a tiny agricultural community. Filmmakers began establishing operations there 25 years later, forever transforming

By Miriam Huppert Key Takeaways: What music majors & their families need to know about paying for college. Table of Contents: The first thing I say to students and their families when they start building their college list is, “Don’t look at the price tag.” This is usually the moment that the parent in the room gives me a skeptical

By Mark Small Located on the banks of scenic Lake Michigan, a dozen miles north of Chicago, lies the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University. For decades, Bienen’s top-shelf programs have made it a prime destination for serious classical performers, composers, music educators, and scholars pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. The school began in 1895 as a conservatory that