Top Colleges for Performing Arts?

I'm passionate about performing arts and considering majoring in it. I'd love to know which colleges are the best for performing arts disciplines. Any famous schools or hidden gems you'd recommend starting from?

There are several top-notch schools renowned for their performing arts programs. These encompass various disciplines like theatre, drama, dance, music, and even technical aspects of performance, such as lighting design.

First, there's Juilliard School in New York City, arguably one of the world's leading music schools with a prestigious drama program. It's famous for its intense conservatory-style education that allows students to gain hands-on industry experience.

Then, we have the University of Southern California (USC) located in Los Angeles, home to an excellent School of Cinematic Arts and Thornton School of Music. USC is also strategically located for students looking to break into the film and television industry, given its proximity to Hollywood.

Tisch School of the Arts at New York University is another outstanding option, particularly renowned for its drama and dance programs. Tisch gives its students a chance to study and perform in a vibrant city with myriad opportunities in the performing arts scene.

Carnegie Mellon's College of Fine Arts in Pittsburgh has a fantastic reputation, particularly for its drama program. Numerous Carnegie Mellon alumni have gone on to have successful careers in acting, both on stage and screen.

In the Boston area, Berklee College of Music focuses primarily on music, offering comprehensive courses in performance, composition, production, and more. Similarly, the New England Conservatory has a rich history and is renowned for its music program.

For students considering smaller liberal arts colleges, Oberlin College in Ohio has a renowned Conservatory of Music, as does Bard College with its beautiful campus in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.

A potential hidden gem could be the North Carolina School of the Arts. It's a public arts conservatory that offers degrees in drama, dance, design and production, filmmaking, and music.

Remember to consider each school's curriculum, faculty, location, opportunities for performance, and alumni network to find the one that aligns best with your goals. Nevertheless, these institutions should provide a robust starting point for you to explore performing arts programs.