BY: Steve Lipman
Building 21st Century Musicians
When it comes to navigating college admissions, Independent Educational Consultants (IECs), school-based college counselors, and music directors and educators play a vital role in helping students discover the right academic path. But for students pursuing music, the admissions process becomes dramatically more complex — with artistic evaluations, prescreen video recordings, 1-on-1 interviews, live auditions, and highly specialized program options.
That’s where Inside Music Schools (IMS) comes in.
We work alongside consultants and educators to provide expert guidance tailored specifically to music students — bridging the gap between general college advising and the nuanced world of music admissions. Whether your student is applying to a top conservatory or university as a vocal major, looking for a music business program, or preparing a portfolio for a composition or contemporary production department, IMS offers the insider knowledge and support they need to stand out.
A Partner, Not a Competitor
Independent consultants often refer students to IMS because they understand what’s at stake. When a family is pursuing competitive music schools, IECs may find themselves in unfamiliar territory. What repertoire belongs on a prescreen? Is the student competitive for Berklee or USC? Should they audition at all, or consider a non-performance track in music production or venue or artist management?
Rather than risk losing the client or offering incomplete advice, consultants bring IMS on board — not to take over, but to collaborate.
“We’re not here to replace the consultant,” says Steve Lipman, IMS founder and former Dean of Admissions at Berklee College of Music. “We’re here to partner with them — to offer expertise they may not have, and help their students thrive and achieve their goals.”
When consultants refer to IMS, they gain a trusted partner who fills the gaps of music-specific knowledge — all without undermining the core advising relationship.
The Value of an Insider Perspective
The music admissions landscape is constantly evolving. New programs are emerging, audition requirements shift, and departments expand into fields like music therapy, film scoring, festival production, and music entrepreneurship.
Even music educators and guidance counselors with a strong background in music can find themselves surprised by how much has changed in the last decade.
“A music teacher who went to Berklee 15 years ago might not be familiar with today’s options,” says IMS Senior Consultant Karen Kerr. “For example, Berklee now offers a Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Leadership that doesn’t require an audition. Other schools are following their lead for non-audition music industry majors and other majors that aren’t performance-based. That’s a big shift — and one many people don’t even know about.”
At IMS, we stay current with these changes, so students don’t miss out on the right fit simply because their advising team wasn’t aware of a program’s nuances.
Tailored Support for Each Student’s Path
Whether a student is pursuing opera or aims to be the next Taylor Swift — or both — IMS helps them define and refine their goals and build a plan to reach them. We assist with school list creation, repertoire selection, portfolio development, prescreenings, audition preparation, interview coaching, and more.
We also provide an honest assessment of whether a student is musically ready — something most consultants don’t feel equipped to determine on their own.
Some consultants refer students entirely to IMS for a full-service admissions experience. Others collaborate with us on a “musical piece” of the advising puzzle. In both cases, IMS provides personalized, start-to-finish support that aligns with the consultant’s process and the family’s needs.
A Measurable Difference
We’ve helped students gain admission to top schools like:
- Berklee College of Music
- New England Conservatory
- NYU Tisch and Steinhardt
- USC Thornton School of Music
- Eastman School of Music
- The Frost School at University of Miami
- Belmont University
- University of Michigan
- Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
- Northwestern University Bienen School of Music
- And many, many more
But beyond acceptance letters, we hear over and over that students walk away more confident, more focused, and more excited about their future.
“When Steve speaks, you listen. When Steve speaks, you learn,” says Lauren Westendorf, former Assistant Director of College Guidance at Laurel School in Ohio and now owner of her own academic consulting company. “Spending time with Steve is like taking mini master classes — there are always bits of wisdom, experience, and knowledge he shares with his quick wit.”
The Future of Collaboration
Traditionally, many IECs have not supported music students simply because they lacked the tools and knowledge to do so effectively. But that’s changing. More consultants are now partnering with IMS to confidently serve students they might otherwise turn away.
Instead of spending hours calling music departments or trying to decode audition requirements on their own, IECs can turn to IMS for a comprehensive, personalized solution — and maintain the relationship they’ve built with their student and family.
Let’s Partner Together for Your Students’ Success!
If you’re an IEC, school counselor, or music educator looking for expert guidance for your music students, we’d love to connect. Whether you refer students directly or want to explore a collaborative approach, we’re here to help.
Contact Steve and Karen at Inside Music Schools to learn more about how they support students — and the consultants who care about them.
Inside Music Schools
Real expertise. Real results. For students serious about music.
Founder & President at Inside Music Schools | Insidemusicschools.com
Head of admissions and faculty member at Berklee College of Music for 40 years, Steve Lipman and our team at Inside Music Schools speak music as their primary language. We approach each client contact with open eyes, ears, and minds. As the country’s premier music school consultant, he has advised students from the United States, Canada, the U.K., India, Singapore, Dubai, China, Australia, Turkey, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Israel, Italy, Russia and elsewhere.