By Bob Mulvey
From Opera to The Great American Songbook
Mikie Blumenthal’s musical passion became clear when, around age 9, he started mimicking and singing along to opera tunes in the car on his way to school, and his parents realized he could reach some of the more soaring and challenging notes. Vocal lessons started and soon Mikie was singing with the Dallas Opera, performing in productions of The Magic Flute and La Bohème and performing the National Anthem at local community centers.
During COVID, Mikie attended an online “opera camp” and then enrolled in a summer voice program at Berklee College of Music in Boston. By then, Mikie was narrowing his style and emphasis toward jazz interpretations of classic singers like Frank Sinatra, with arrangements from The Great American Songbook. The Berklee experience was both exhilarating and a challenge to test Mikie’s musical ambitions as a student vocalist in a college setting. About his time at Berklee, Mikie reports that “It was my first real introduction to jazz and singing in an ensemble and I knew in that moment that I had discovered a new passion.”
Navigating the College Admissions Maze
It became a real possibility to the Blumenthal family that Mikie might be headed for a career in voice performance and that this aspiration warranted a clear pathway to postsecondary education in some sort of music program. But, even with musical parents, the family needed help finding a music college or conservatory that suited Mikie’s specific style and professional goals. As his mother explains, they required a roadmap for identifying the right programs and navigating the admissions process. So, she Googled “Best College Counseling for Musicians,” and at the top of the page was Inside Music Schools (IMS).
Finding the Right Fit with IMS
From the initial contact with Steve Lipman and Karen Kerr, Mikie and his parents were immediately impressed by their credentials and, after receiving encouraging feedback about Mikie’s musical journey and abilities, Mikie’s mother knew that the family had, in her words, “found our place” with IMS. The family felt a strong sense of “trust” in the partnership Steve and Karen offered in helping design that roadmap for Mikie’s imminent journey to a college of music.
Mikie’s ambition to become a jazz vocalist, and understand the current state of the music business led him to initially research several college music programs. It didn’t take long to realize that certain voice programs might be a better fit than others, so he refined his search and then, with IMS’s advice and insight, he decided on three – New York University’s Steinhardt School of Music, Berklee College of Music, and University of Miami’s Frost School of Music.
Crafting a Strategic Audition Roadmap
To Mikie and his parents, the roadmap, with guidance from IMS, was becoming clearer, more defined, and more manageable. Although Mikie auditioned for both New York University and Berklee, he felt his focus was steering him toward the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Karen, who is the Managing Director and Senior Consultant at IMS, who was previously the director of admissions at Frost, made Mikie aware of the M. A. D. E. (Modern Artist Development and Entrepreneurship) program at Miami, designed for student musicians to combine performance with music production and music business skill-building.
Knowing that Frost would require a “prescreening video” before being offered a live audition, IMS arranged a “mock audition” for Mikie to help him get direct, usable feedback on how to prepare for the actual live audition. To add to his preparation, Mikie remembers that IMS’s recommendations on “clothing, lighting, body language and feedback from the mock audition, were, in his words, “invaluable!” In his actual audition for Frost, Mikie performed a favorite Sinatra tune and discussed (with youthful wisdom) how that era of singing presented to him a “simpler and less chaotic world.”
In His Own Words: Mikie’s Perspective
In Mikie’s words, “Steve and Karen convinced me to apply to colleges with great contemporary music programs. Their belief in me meant a lot since they are both industry and educational experts. I had an idea of where I wanted to go, and IMS helped narrow down my options. One of the most helpful parts of working with IMS was their explanation of the application process and the mock audition. I knew what to expect and prepared accordingly. Additionally, IMS clarified the specifics of the different music programs that were a good fit for me, reviewed my prescreening videos, and gave really helpful feedback. Overall, it was comforting to know I could ask Steve and Karen questions anytime and receive answers swiftly. Thanks to IMS and all of the support and guidance they provided, I got into my dream college!”
The “Secret Sauce” to Acceptance
When Mikie was accepted to Frost, he, his family, and IMS knew they had found the right fit, and his path led to Miami. Looking back, Mikie’s mother says the IMS “secret sauce” is understanding what colleges are looking for and helping each student find the right match. She says Steve and Karen excel at “knowing what questions to ask students” to identify their unique needs and determine how best to guide them. They also prepare students and families to ask thoughtful questions of each college and program. That guidance helps turn a student’s aspirations into a clear path toward acceptance.
Finding the Right Music School Starts with the Right Guidance
Mikie’s journey shows why choosing a music school involves more than finding a program with a strong reputation. Students need a school that fits their musical interests, abilities, and goals, along with a clear plan for navigating each stage of admissions.
That’s where Inside Music Schools comes in. Through expert admissions consulting, Steve Lipman and Karen Kerr help students and families identify best-fit programs, understand what each school requires, and prepare for prescreening videos, auditions, and applications. Their guidance gives families a clearer picture of their options and helps students put their best foot forward.
Is your student ready to find the right music school? Talk with IMS to learn how experienced admissions guidance can help your family navigate the process.
Bob Mulvey
Bob Mulvey serves as a special consultant and advisor for Inside Music Schools, especially in the areas of learning and organizational skills. Bob has many years of experience as an educator, college administrator, and clinician. He taught in secondary settings, including public, vocational, and alternative schools. Bob held the position of Instructor in the Graduate School of Lesley College and the English Department at Bunker Hill Community College. Over 32 years at Berklee College of Music, Bob was Associate Director of the Counseling and Academic Advising Center, Director of Disability and Accommodation Services, and an Associate Professor. Bob holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and a Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.