Major: Applied Music (Piano Performance)

Email: rsohn2@u.rochester.edu

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Questions about Academics and COVID-19

 

What were your classes like in your first year or in your major/concentration, especially transitioning from Shen? 

As a performance major at a conservatory style institution, the transition from Shen was admittedly drastic. My preparation mostly came from extracurricular activities outside of school. Other than my required freshman writing course, I was at square one with my other major related courses, but so was everyone else so it wasn't a big deal!!!! :D

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What academic experiences have stood out to you at your college in either positive or negative ways?

Eastman requires all students to fulfill 24 credits of non music courses to graduate. That being said, all classes at the main University of Rochester campus are freely available to Eastman students. Eastman has also made it fairly easy to add an academic minor or even major if students are interested.

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As for study abroad opportunities, Eastman has exchange programs with several music schools in Europe and Asia. Our orchestra also holds world tours every couple of years. Artists from all over the world regularly come perform at our halls as well.

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The bond you form with your main professor by the time you graduate is super special! While it helps to have peers going through the same pressures of competitive (sometimes toxic!!!!) conservatory life, it can be easy to still feel dejected and doubtful of yourself and your artistry. In these moments, your professor/advisors should be there to give you whatever support you need! They are not there just to teach you how to play your instrument and chances are they probably go through the same things themselves as professionals (:

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How was your online learning experience at your college? What resources did your college provide you during this time?

Performance wise, online learning was definitely not ideal. The majority of students' tuition go towards in person private lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and coachings. Online instruction for performance based courses is either impossible or extremely low quality. Academic courses were not as severely affected.

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What did your college do well or poorly to support students and communities when COVID-19 first hit?

The University as a whole did a decent job in making swift decisions when COVID-19 first hit with safety in the school's best interest. Unfortunately at Eastman, all remaining concerts were cancelled, including degree recitals and juries (yearly performing finals). Currently, Eastman is waiting for the governor's approval for their fall semester plans which entails a hybrid of both online/in person classes. They are proposing that the building be only used for performance based education and instruction (lessons, small ensemble rehearsals, coachings, alternatives for opera production, etc) while all other academic courses will be taken online.

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Questions about Student Life

 

If students are interested in your major/concentration, what extracurricular activities do you recommend they do at your college?

Eastman does not have that many clubs but the main campus definitely has a lot in which Eastman students are free to join. While the music school does not have many clubs, students can take introductory classes outside of their genre if interested! Classical students can take intro jazz courses and vice versa but that is not all!!! Eastman also offers courses in music genres that are lesser known, such as Balinese gamelan, which is awesome since most of our instruction focuses on Western music written by dead white men :D Students also have the opportunity to participate in performances of music written by live/contemporary composers, some of which are students at the school!

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What are common things to do on weekends? Do students commute back home for the weekend or are there events on campus?

There are concerts basically every day (even multiple times a day) that are either free and available at a discounted price for students. It is an amazing opportunity to see your world class favs for free/cheap. Because of what usually ends up being a busy week of classes, lessons, rehearsals, and individual practice, weekends are usually for relaxing....or if you want..more practice (':

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Are you involved in athletics at your college? How do you balance sports, academics, and extracurricular activities?

no <3 only piano <3

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Do you have a job during the school year, or is it common for students to have on-campus jobs? What is that experience like?

There are several on campus jobs that are super common for students to work. For the past 2 years I have been working as an usher for concerts held at the school. It is a customer service job where I am directly serving patrons and the performing artist(s) so it definitely comes with some unexpected surprises but it's a great way to basically make money while listening/watching a concert for free.

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Extra Questions

 

What advice would you give to current Shen students when applying to your college?

Practice hard!!! Whatever it is, just go for it! Give it your all while having fun!!!! Don't lose sight of your initial goals and always trust the process!!! Be yourself and have confidence!!!!!!!!!!

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What makes your college special to you?

I am so lucky to have found a teacher who is extremely dedicated in seeing me succeed and peers with unimaginable talent. I am always learning because of them and they inspire me to keep doing better (:

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What do you wish you knew about your college when you were a senior at Shen?

I thought I would have it a little easier now that I wasn't balancing additional academic workload on top of music but it was equally, if not more, intense than I could ever expect.

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Before COVID-19, what was the housing like at your college? What would you recommend to Shen seniors to find their roommates?

All freshmen lived in doubles/triples and starting sophomore year all students lived in singles. Off campus housing is typically reserved only for seniors and a limited number of juniors. Try to find a roommate with similar sleep schedule and standards of cleanliness. Discuss/set some boundaries before you start living together.

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How is the financial aid situation at your college?

All students at Eastman get some sort of financial aid. There are two types of aid you can get at the school : a merit scholarship which is calculated based on your live audition/application and need based aid which you can apply for. Need based aid is a little more flexible to change over the years but your merit scholarship is set before your freshman year.

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