When Petra Dierkes’ son, Jasper, began thinking seriously about studying music in college, they knew they were entering unfamiliar territory. Jasper had spent years developing his passion for music production, building a home studio, creating his own music, and exploring his identity as both a producer and an artist. By the time that junior year of high school came around, he knew that music was the path he wanted to pursue. However, figuring out how to turn that passion into a college application was another story.
Although Petra works in academic advising at Stanford University and understands higher education well, she quickly realized that music admissions operate by an entirely different set of rules.
“My family is from Germany,” Petra explained. “We never went through the undergraduate admissions process in the United States ourselves, and we certainly didn’t know how music admissions worked.”
Recognizing that they needed expert music college admissions guidance, Jasper connected with Inside Music Schools (IMS) at the beginning of his junior year of high school.
Navigating an Unfamiliar Process
Initially, Jasper wasn’t certain on which direction to take. He loved production but was also interested in developing as a performing artist, so one of the first ways IMS helped was by asking the right questions. Rather than pushing Jasper toward a particular path, his advisors helped him determine whether his interests aligned more closely with audio engineering or an artist-focused production program. Through conversations, coaching, and thoughtful guidance, Jasper gained a much clearer understanding of his goals. “They really helped him understand who he was as an artist,” Petra said. “They were genuinely curious about what he wanted and what his strengths were.”
As an academic advisor, Petra’s professional experience gave her an understanding of how colleges evaluate applicants, so she helped Jasper stay organized and understood that he needed to highlight his experiences and accomplishments. However, they had no idea what to expect from the audition process, and IMS guided the family through every step of audition preparation with clarity and confidence. Jasper received detailed guidance on preparing his resume and artistic statement, creating professional prescreening videos, including presentation, recording techniques, and common mistakes to avoid. Faculty members reviewed his materials and offered constructive feedback before submissions.
One particularly crucial piece of the application process was IMS’ early advice to apply for preparatory summer programs, such as the Grammy Camp, proved to be a real game changer for Jasper. Surrounded by other passionate, talented students, working in a real recording studio in Manhattan, and participating in live performances, Jasper was able to envision his professional future within a collaborative music community. He also gained a wonderful new mentor who later wrote one of Jasper’s letters of recommendation. The result of that amazing summer experience was an authentically motivated story college application that showcased both Jasper’s artistic identity and personal growth while helping him stand out to admissions committees.
Turning Feedback Into Confidence
Perhaps the most valuable part of Jasper’s preparation was participating in IMS’s mock auditions. Initially, they were intimidating. His first mock audition, conducted with a Berklee voice professor, didn’t go as well as he had hoped. He wasn’t prepared for the format or the expectations. Rather than viewing it as a setback, IMS transformed the experience into a learning opportunity. “They helped him turn that experience into constructive feedback instead of discouragement,” Petra said.
The mock auditions mirrored real college auditions. Professors asked him to perform prepared pieces, complete sight-singing exercises, repeat melodic and rhythmic patterns, and respond to questions. More importantly, they provided honest, actionable feedback that allowed Jasper to improve before the real auditions. The experience gave him confidence, and a realistic and detailed understanding of what audition panels were looking for.
Personalized Support Every Step of the Way
Throughout the admissions season, Steve and Karen were always available to answer questions, keep things on track, and help the family understand application strategies, ensuring they chose the approach that made the most sense for Jasper’s goals. They also connected the family with a former IMS student currently attending Berklee College of Music, who gave Jasper a campus tour and answered questions from a student’s perspective, an invaluable opportunity that helped him envision himself there.
Finding the Right School
The results spoke for themselves: Jasper received acceptance offers from 12 prestigious music schools, including several that had once seemed like ambitious reach schools, and even earned a spot on the waitlist at New York University. For Petra, the outcome reflected not only Jasper’s talent and hard work, but also the confidence and strategy that Steve, Karen and staff faculty helped him develop throughout the admissions process. “I truly believe that without IMS, Jasper wouldn’t have applied to nearly as many schools or felt that he could go for those reach schools,” she said.
As acceptance letters arrived, IMS continued serving as trusted advisors. Rather than focusing solely on rankings, they helped the family compare programs based on curriculum, faculty, community, career opportunities, and overall fit. “They really helped us understand what actually mattered to choose the right school,” Petra explained. “Not just which school seemed more prestigious, but where Jasper would learn the most and thrive as both an artist and producer.”
Jasper narrowed his choices to Berklee College of Music, New York University, California Institute of the Arts, and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Ultimately, the decision came down to both program fit and location. IMS helped the family recognize that Berklee offered the combination of curriculum, artistic community, faculty connections, and creative environment that best aligned with Jasper’s goals. Today, Jasper has committed to pursuing both music production and his own artistic career at Berklee—his first-choice school from the very beginning.
Reflecting on the experience, Petra says IMS exceeded their expectations and even wished that she had connected with them earlier! She especially appreciated the team’s expertise, empathy, and ability to connect with teenagers. “They don’t just understand music admissions,” she said. “They’re incredible educators and communicators. They’re encouraging, hopeful, and always provide actionable feedback.”
Advice for Future Music Families
Petra encourages both students and parents to begin preparing earlier than they think they need to. “There are so many moving pieces,” she said. “The auditions alone require much more preparation than most families realize, and the Common App can be challenging to navigate and understand, especially as a first timer.” She also encourages students to think beyond simply getting accepted. “Think holistically about yourself as an artist. Understand your strengths, your weaknesses, and what kind of environment will help you grow.”
For parents wondering whether professional music school admissions guidance is worthwhile, Petra’s advice is simple. “Trust their expertise and trust the process. IMS truly gets to know your child—not just as a student, but as an artist and as a person. They’ll meet your family where you are, whether you’re very involved or want your student to be more independent.”
Looking back, Petra believes the investment made all the difference. “I honestly don’t think Jasper would have had the same opportunities without IMS. They helped him dream bigger, apply more confidently, and ultimately find the school that was the right fit for him.” For Petra, the experience wasn’t just about college acceptances—it was about giving Jasper the confidence, guidance, and support to pursue his goals with ambition and clarity, setting the stage for the next chapter of his musical journey.
Ready to Navigate Music School Admissions With a Strategy?
Jasper’s story is a reminder that successful music college admissions are about much more than submitting applications. The right strategy can help a student understand their strengths, identify the programs that truly fit, prepare for the unique demands of music admissions, and approach the process with greater confidence.
If you’re beginning to explore music college options, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Inside Music Schools works with students and families to build a personalized admissions strategy, identify the right-fit schools, strengthen applications and portfolios, and prepare students for auditions and the decisions that come after acceptance.
Your student’s path will be different from Jasper’s. That’s exactly why personalized guidance matters.
Learn how Inside Music Schools can help with your music college admissions strategy.
Erin Chang
Erin Chang is a mezzo-soprano currently pursuing doctoral studies at Indiana University. She completed her Masters of Music at Manhattan School of Music and her Bachelor of Music Education at Rutgers University. She has performed with the MSM Graduate Opera Theater, opera scenes, choruses, and various chamber ensembles, as well as with Chicago Summer Opera. Although Erin is primarily a vocalist, she is also a solo pianist and accompanist, having performed with various choirs and churches, and is a Steinway Educational Partner. In addition to performing, Erin is passionate about teaching and has taught voice, piano, and music theory lessons.