Testimonials

Steve and Karen’s advice was invaluable and their support came at a pivotal time for us. They were more than generous with their time and our sessions with them demystified the process and helped my daughter solidify her college list. Additionally, they arranged for a few Zoom sessions for her with a professor whose feedback and support gave us confidence that we were on the right track. I recommend them highly.

We had amazing results with the support and guidance of Steve’s consulting. We came to Steve with specific needs and they tailored a program that fit our requirements exactly. His knowledge and belief in my son gave us the confidence to reach for our goals. We ultimately had the success we desired and acceptance into the schools we applied to! Thank you for everything.

Thanks to Inside Music Schools’ expert guidance, our daughter is now thriving as a first-year student at her top-choice music school, surrounded by like-minded peers who share her passions. She’s not one to exaggerate or sugarcoat, so when people ask her how college is going and she responds with a genuine, enthusiastic “I love it,” I know she truly means it. I am deeply grateful to Inside Music Schools for their wisdom, encouragement, and support in helping my daughter achieve her college dreams.

Click here to read Pam’s full letter.

I wanted to write you and close the loop on Mila’s college plan. First of all, thank you for everything you and your team did for her. You are really buttoned up and always well-prepared, I was impressed with the service you provided, and noted how sensitive and insightful you are with these kids.

Steve and the whole team did an excellent job of preparing our son for his application and interview for Berklee College of Music! Steve’s detailed knowledge of the interview process, combined with his ability to provide real interview questions and presentation materials was invaluable to our son gaining early acceptance into Berklee, and receiving a generous merit scholarship from the school! We couldn’t be more thankful for IMS helping us navigate the unfamiliar world of music school acceptance successfully!

I am heading to USC to move in on August 20th! Something I could not have done without you and the IMS team. Thank you for everything- I can’t believe I am starting a music career from the school I never guessed I could be accepted into.

I cannot thank you both enough for your help and guidance in this process, I couldn’t have felt better prepared for what was an incredibly challenging multi faceted journey. I was pleased to have as many great opportunities to choose between as I did and after a lot of back and forth I’m very excited to be taking the next steps of my career at NYU! Thanks again for all the help.

Steve and Karen provided accountability, useful advice, and support– all of which helped me gain acceptance as a graduate student in New England Conservatory’s Contemporary Musical Arts program. I was able to put my best foot forward as an applicant with help from Inside Music Schools, even when I felt like a complete underdog. I especially valued the audition prep and feedback from professors at music programs in advance of completing my application. I am so thrilled to be following my music conservatory dreams in Boston this fall. 

As a family with no professional musicians, approaching the conservatory application process was a daunting task. IMS and its team of experts helped us organize the often confusing requirements and deadlines of different schools. Steve also put me in touch with industry leaders and department chairs at major universities, which helped me craft a compelling portfolio and resume. Always a quick email away, Steve continues to be an insightful and encouraging mentor as I enter the collegiate and professional worlds. I am grateful to Inside Music Schools for their immense help over these past few years. Due in large part to IMS’s aid, I will be attending Columbia University and double-majoring in music composition and philosophy. 

When I met Steve, I had no idea about the music education system in the US. I am from a different nation so the education system that I see so far, is very different from the US education system. I had to have guidance, help to organize my future studies, and to find the right school for me. I wanted to be a composer. Composition is a very special major and in this major, faculty is very important. Thanks to Steve, I got the best information about all of the music schools in the US. He helped in every step: choosing the right school, application process, audition practice, final decision. I am so happy right now that I worked with Steve through this period of time. He is not just my adviser, but also my friend now.

Steve is always at the top of my list when I need information on music education. Not only does he deliver valuable insight of his own, but he always seems to know others who can answer my questions, and has been incredibly helpful in putting me in touch with them. During some of my many interviews with department chairs and professors at the country’s top music programs, the phrase “You should talk to Steve Lipman” has come up more than once.

Steve is a consummate professional in all areas of popular music education. The depth and extent of what he offers is astounding. Not only is he seemingly connected to everyone in the field; he deftly and tirelessly helps you navigate through the process of getting you to the right person, school or group. He provides a wealth of knowledge, total commitment, and incredible skills and is a pleasure to work with.

It would be difficult to find anyone more knowledgeable about the world of contemporary music education and career preparation for professional musicians than Steve Lipman. As long time Vice President for Student Affairs at Berklee College with primary responsibility for enrollment management, Steve oversaw an increase of enrollment of several hundred percent over more than a decade. His depth of understanding and vision/foresight in the profession are virtually unmatched anywhere, and Steve continues to be a driving force in our industry with his more recent activities for SLA Contemporary Music Education Consultants. With Steve on your team you can rest assured that you are working with the best of the best.

Steve has been an incredible asset to our program over the last five years. His advice to me, and to the students directly, has resulted in the placement of many of our musicians in top programs nationally, including Juilliard, Berklee, USC, Miami, the New School, and North Texas. Steve knows this space better than anyone!

Steve was one of the most important influences at Berklee College of Music in my growth and development as a person and as a talent. He is a consummate professional and deeply caring individual, knowledgeable about all the music schools, colleges and universities. He is a master at the whole admissions process like no other source. He’s your best call going forward.

Steve’s depth of music education knowledge is invaluable – he was able to distill for us the key differences between each collegiate program as well as the nuances in what each program looks for in an applicant. He takes a holistic view of the student in terms of musical interests, general interests, and character which results in a very thoughtful approach to the application process and results.