Brandon Dallmann (he/him/his)
BM Music Theatre, Class of 2021
bdallmann99@gmail.com
IG: bdallmann99
FB: profile.php?id=100005750985983
Okay. One sentence to describe a typical day in your program. GO!
Busy and multifaceted.
What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?
The other students and the strong relationship with your voice teacher and vocal coach.
What’s something you would change about your program? Why?
Program size and consistency of class size so there are more opportunities for all students.
How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!
Definitely a bit of both. Competitive in terms of being around many talented artists within all three schools, but supportive in terms of your personal relationship with your voice teacher and vocal coach. It is never competitive in a way where students are made to fail, everyone wants you to succeed, there are just a lot of people succeeding.
What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?
The theory and aural skills curriculum was very challenging for me and it is a serious and major part of your first two years. Some students also find the classical repertoire and piano classes very challenging as well. Other students love and excel at all three.
What’s something that you think makes your program unique?
I think getting a bachelors of music is unique and opens up a lot of doors. There is also a lot of freedom within parts of the curriculum (especially if you come in with gen-eds or get them out of the way) Many students double major in vocal performance, get a directing minor, get a business minor, mass com minor, I got a nonprofit arts admin certificate. There are many opportunities to expand beyond just a typical MT curriculum.
Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?
Students are eligible for casting every semester, but casting is very competitive. All students in the school of music (MT, VP, ba) will be cast in a school of music mainstage before they graduate (100% guaranteed) and I would say most MT students appear in 3-5. There are also theater, student theater, dance etc. performance opportunities that MT’s can audition for. Taking advantage of these makes a huge difference rather than waiting for school of music performance opportunities, especially during your freshman and sophomore year.
What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Are students encouraged to create their own work? Double majors? Minors?
Most students are involved outside the program. Greek life is definitely available as are a capella groups, improv, student government, religious life, etc. It is a small school so many students are involved in many different things. We always joke that OCU stands for over-committed-university. Just be sure not to spread yourself too thin.
Can you travel abroad if desired?
Yes, you are 100% allowed, but it is not the easiest process during a semester. Oftentimes studying abroad doesn’t really translate to your classes in the music school. If you come in with a lot of classes or are willing to rearrange your schedule a bit, it is possible. Summer study abroad is also common and there are several school lead summer study abroad programs. I would say several MT’s do a summer study abroad but only a few every couple of years do a semester abroad.
Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?
I would really only say there could be more performance opportunities. The curriculum is very music centric so that is just something to be aware of. You will almost always be in an acting or dance class each semester and are able to add more than in the required curriculum, but most of your day will be spent in the music school freshman and sophomore year. This is something that some students love and that doesn’t work as well for others, so it just has to do with knowing if the curriculum is a good fit.
What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?
Very good and healthy. Teachers are teachers and not friends but they are always kind and encouraging. I also think a level of professionalism is kept that is very important and sometimes rare in the performing arts, the professors here don’t intrude on your personal life. You see your voice teacher one on one for an hour every week and they really get to know you as an artist,which is wonderful. All the teachers know every student’s name and have respect for all of their students.
Can you tell us about some of the faculty you train with who really inspire you?
All of the voice teachers are great. I loved my voice teacher Dr. Courtney Crouse. You also can take a half hour of vocal coaching, which I highly recommend. I loved my coach Dr. Jake Johnson as well. You are also always able to switch coaches and voice teachers if it isn’t the right fit. At OCU you get a lot of different faculty exposure. beyond the “heads of program” Dr. H and Professor Miller, who are both great, I had 4 other acting professors, and 2 guest directors. I also had over 10 dance teachers. My point is there are a lot of really great faculty and even if you don’t gel with someone, there are plenty of other faculty you will gel with.
What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?
You will get very honest feedback from your teacher and coach one on one. You will also always get constructive feedback when you perform in class from both the other students and the teacher. In addition you will usually complete a music performance jury where you get feedback from all the voice teachers (this is nothing like a cut program, just a way to get feedback). There are also always a variety of masterclasses every year. In terms of student evaluations, you are always able to give a professor or advisor feedback. Faculty have been very receptive and not defensive when given student feedback.
What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment?
We have an amazing student organization called OCU CARE. This is an elected group of music school leaders that hold both general and specific meetings for different minority groups within the music school. We have a Racial and Ethic diversity branch, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity branch, Mental Health and Wellness branch, Disability and Accessibility branch, and a Body Empowerment branch. The leaders of these branches also have monthly meetings with the deans where they address any issues or ideas for reform that have been brought up, so it is not just performative activism. This is a wonderful organization (which I was a proud member of so I’m a little biased), but we have affected some major changes in the school just within the last year. We also brought in over 20 experts between each of the communities through a variety of Townhall’s and workshops (all of which the music school funded). New branches can always be added, and students are super encouraged to be a part of this organization and voice their opinions. At large the university hosts several inclusivity events and has a wonderful vice president of diversity and inclusion. The school has many steps to take forward but they are definitely taking them and are very receptive to student opinion.
What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health?
There is a licensed counseling center which many students use. Many faculty members in the school of music have also been trained in mental health first aid (https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/). Your voice teacher is also often able to assess when someone is unwell and refer them to other people. We are a very tight knit community, so when someone is unwell they are taken care of.
What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?
I was worried about managing the workload, but I found that it is more than doable and there are a lot of resources available. Additionally, the school is very strict in terms of attendance policy, which I think was intimidating to me, but as I settled the first semester I realized I was being held to a high standard, not an unrealistic standard.
How did you know that this was the right place for you?
The people at this school are wonderful. There are a plethora of incredible dancers, actors, singers, directors, writers, ect and many faculty to support them. But beyond being really skilled everyone is also kind and supportive. It is really inspiring to think about all the people I was in school with and all the variety of paths they will take in this industry. This school really isn’t cookie cutter, so everyone is encouraged to find their own path, which I think is wonderful.
Ceci Touzon (she/her/hers)
BA Music (Voice), Class of 2024
cecitouzon@aol.com
IG: ceci.touzon
FB: ceci.touzon
Okay. One sentence to describe a typical day in your program. GO!
It is a busy day that starts at 8am and ends at 5pm (with breaks in between) with a lot of music and theatre classes sprinkled throughout your day!
What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?
The amount of music knowledge one can gain! I thought I knew everything I needed to know when coming into the school, but man was I wrong. Since coming to OCU, I had no prior knowledge of music theory, aural skills, or piano - I have been taught immensely on all three subjects and will continue to learn more about each of them.
What’s something you would change about your program? Why?
I would change the classes that the BA Music majors are able to take rather than the MTs. If you auditioned for MT but got accepted into BA Music - this is important!!! The BA Music major is great if performing is not your end goal and you want to double major or minor in something because it is a very flexible schedule. But, as a BA Music major you can only take music courses within that major. So, there are certain classes that the MT’s take that we cannot (ex. dance, acting, MT workshops, etc.). You can always ask the professors and ask them to put you in those classes, though - the staff here is WONDERFUL!!!
How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!
I find that it is extremely supportive!! Everyone here is on your side and is so friendly. I really didn’t want anything cut-throat competitive; I wanted somewhere where I would learn and grow alongside friends who wanted to learn and grow and that is truly the vibe of the program.
What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?
The amount I would progress in music subjects - especially music theory and piano! I didn’t know anything about piano or music theory coming in. I have now completed two semesters of each course and I can successfully play the piano and I can tell you things about music theory that you didn’t even know existed! And I still have SO much to learn! You will learn like crazy and at the end of the day, it is so rewarding.
What’s something that you think makes your program unique?
The flexibility! As a BA Music major, I am able to double major or minor. I currently have a minor in education which I wouldn’t be able to have if I was any other major.
Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?
I wish I knew how they worked in person, but because I was a freshman during the COVID pandemic, I don’t know too much. I do know that the auditions are super chill and the staff is on your side and wants to see you succeed. If you are in the school of music as a vocalist, you are required to audition for all school of music shows - same goes for school of theatre if you are an acting major. If I am being brutally honest, there is a preference towards the MTs. Depending on the director, MTs are usually the first ones to get cast.
What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Are students encouraged to create their own work? Double majors? Minors?
There are SO many extracurriculars here, it is hands down my favorite thing about the school. There are so many clubs and all of them are pretty active. Since it is a smaller campus, extracurriculars are big because everyone participates. There are also a lot of double majors and minors because most of us are performance majors - they like to give us other things to learn about!! As for greek life, it was the best part of my freshman year. There are 4 sororities and 2 fraternities. I met my best friends through greek life and I became super involved! Greek life is not your typical greek life here at OCU, because we are a small campus it is super philanthropy centered! Also, students are definitely encouraged to create their own work. There are SO many opportunities to do so each semester.
Can you travel abroad if desired?
YES!!! One of my fav things about the BA Music major is the flexibility that it offers! You will definitely be able to study abroad with this major and OCU has GREAT study abroad options - this is coming from someone who LOVES to travel!! The study abroad options are wonderful here at OCU.
Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?
I touched on this earlier but BA Musics cannot take acting or dance classes and specific MT classes within the music school. Again, you’ll have to email professors and ask them to put you in their class.
What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?
WONDERFUL!!! I can’t speak highly enough of the faculty. The classes are pretty small allowing for a lot of one on one time with the professors. The professors only want to see you succeed and they are willing to help you always. I have a close relationship with almost all of my professors - I love them!!
Can you tell us about some of the faculty you train with who really inspire you?
Dr. Jang for piano is THE WAY TO GO!!!! She is the sweetest woman and will inspire you to play the best version of the piano that you can. Not only is she a great teacher but she is a wonderful person as well. She has taught me to become comfortable with making mistakes and to learn from them.
Dr. Fitzgerald for english diction is wonderful. He is a funny witty man who will make you feel so loved in his class. He is also a great teacher.
What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?
The faculty and student relationship is really good here at OCU so usually the faculty will just tell you the feedback you need to hear, respectfully. The faculty sends out anonymous surveys at the end of each semester for students to give feedback. OCU’s number one priority is their students, trust me, so if you have feedback to give, they will listen!
What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment?
We are super big on being inclusive! We have different organizations such as Hispanic Student Association (which I am part of) and Asian Student Association and Black Student Association. Also, minorities are always represented in our shows. We allow for a lot of student created work which allows for students to write about what they feel is right and just in the world!
What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health?
OCU puts a big emphasis on mental health!! Our counseling offices are wonderful and the counselors are great people to talk to - sessions are free, walk ins are welcome, and everything is confidential, of course. Also, the staff is always there for you, I speak from experience!! Lastly, there are A TON of student organizations that focus on mental health and will meet monthly and do some mental health exercises or will go out for ice cream! As for physical health, we have an on campus gym and students also love to go on walks on our pretty campus!
What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?
Making friends! YOU WILL MAKE FRIENDS! People at OCU are so welcoming and kind. Especially within your major, you will be taking so many classes with the same people, so you will get to know them. Also, there is a whole week of just getting to know people before classes actually start.
How did you know that this was the right place for you?
I struggled at first because of homesickness but I soon realized that I wouldn’t want to leave the dynamic of the classes, the people I have met, or the extracurriculars because they have all made me a better person.
Caroline Morath (she/her/hers)
BM Music Theatre/Vocal Performance Double Major, Class of 2023
cmorath@comcast.net
IG: @carolinemorath
Okay. One sentence to describe a typical day in your program. GO!
A typical day in my life at OCU usually looks like me waking up anywhere from 6:30-8:00 AM to get a good workout in to start my day, going to class from 9:00-12:00, having a midday lunch while working my job as the Recorded & Alternate Auditions Manager in the Deans’ Offices of the music school, going back to classes (including voice lessons) from 3-5, and either working on homework or attending rehearsals in the evenings, which go from 6:30-10:00 pm!
What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?
My absolute favorite part about my program is the individualized approach that all my professors take in their teachings. I never feel afraid to ask questions or communicate my needs, whether that be with my voice instructors, academic professors, or directors of our program. A good example of this is our audition process. After every audition, I have had the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with the casting director about my audition that have helped me hone my technique for future auditions.
What’s something you would change about your program? Why?
If I could change one thing about our program, I would probably change the required to curriculum to include more acting classes in the School of Theatre. Currently, musical theatre students are only required to take Acting I & II in the first and second semesters of freshmen year. The other required acting classes are tied to acting within a musical context. You can apply to take more acting classes if you have room in your schedule, but it is not guaranteed that you will get in them. They simply do not offer enough sections to accommodate students from outside of the School of Theatre. Our program is heavily based in the vocal side of musical theatre, which has been amazing in helping me develop different aspects of my voice (opera, pop/rock, and traditional MT styles), as well as other skills such as sight reading and piano. However, I do wish we had a more well-rounded balance between music courses and straight acting courses.
How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!
Our program is a completely supportive environment. This was evident to me from the day I stepped foot into the audition room my senior year of high school and has continued to be true over the past 2 years. In and out of the classroom, there is a shared respect for the fact that this is a collaborative profession, and one that requires a reputation of kindness and joy for one another’s talents. I’ve never been met with anything but support when landing a role in a show or singing in masterclass. Of course, auditions will inherently have competitive vibes, but I’ve never felt judged by any of my peers during or after an audition process.
What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?
The biggest surprise about my program was how dance classes are assigned. There is room to take dance classes in our schedules in almost every semester, although some do not get placed in a dance class their first semester freshmen year (this really depends on the individual student’s schedule and how many juniors/seniors still need to fulfill their required amount of dance credits). Musical Theatre students do not enroll themselves into dance classes, as I assumed going into freshmen year. Instead, at the end of each semester, the dance school will send out a survey, in which you indicate which styles you would like to take in the following semester in your appropriate level. Sometime in the summer, your dance classes will appear on your schedule. Most of the time you get the classes you ask for, although there will be times when the classes you request are full, and you will get placed in your 2nd or 3rd option instead of your first choice.
What’s something that you think makes your program unique?
Something that I think makes our program stand out from others is the level of customization in making your degree and double-majoring. When I was looking at schools my senior year, I was town between pursuing classical vocal performance (opera) and musical theatre. OCU was the only program I found that allowed me to seriously study both. Here at OCU, I get to sing and study everything from standard jazz, to musical theatre, to pop/rock, to operatic arias. Some other popular double majors include Musical Theatre/Composition, Vocal Performance/Music Education, Musical Theatre with a minor in Graphic Design, and many more! In addition to my double major, I am also pursuing a certificate in Nonprofit Arts Administration, which includes courses such as marketing and financial oversight in the arts. There are many combinations to choose from for students like me who don’t want to sacrifice learning about something they love and want to explore that thing more!
Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?
It depends on the show. Some semesters, you will for every show in that semester in one go at the beginning of the semester. Other times, you will audition for individual shows throughout the semester. The requirements also change. Sometimes they will ask for a pop song, or a cut of a song in the style of the show, or a song from the show itself. They like to switch it up so that we get experience with many different types of audition scenarios. For every audition (pre-Covid-19), you will sign up for a time slot online that will have 10-12 other people in it. Everyone in that time slot will be in the room at the same time, auditioning in front of each other as well as the panel. I promise it’s not as scary once you’ve done it a few times! Callbacks will include provided cuts and scenes from the show. Every student is required to audition for every show, including operas if you are an MT, and musicals if you are a VP. I love this because if cast, you can be introduced to a whole new style of performing you might not have considered! I know many MT’s who chose to add a VP double-major after experiencing their first opera. ☺
What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Are students encouraged to create their own work? Double majors? Minors?
OCU is a small community. It is likely you will know someone at any event you go to, which makes it way easier to navigate unknown spaces your freshman year! Almost all my friends participate in extracurricular activities of some kind, whether that be through one of our 8 sororities and fraternities (4 each), cultural organizations such as the Jewish Stars and the Black Students Association, or the very popular Miracle Marathon- an organization that raises money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the school year and hosts all kinds of fun events! Music students often have time to hold officer positions in these organizations, giving them great leadership experience.
One of my favorite parts about OCU is the incredible amount of student-driven and student-written work that takes place at all times of the year. Students of any major are encouraged to audition, direct, write, film, stage manage, etc. for our entirely student run theatre organizations, STRIPPED for musicals, and Out of the Box & The Shadow Collective for plays. The two student-written musicals I have seen in my time at OCU have been some of my favorite shows I’ve ever seen! I had the opportunity to stage manage for the first time for STRIPPED last year, and it was an awesome learning experience that gave me an appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes to make a show happen. Project 21 is another organization that specifically focuses on performing student-composed pieces, both instrumental and vocal. They even collaborate with dance school students once a year to choreograph pieces to the songs that they have composed. I have loved seeing and participating in all the many ways to flex your artistic muscles at OCU.
I spoke a lot about double-majors and minors in my answer to question 6, but I also want to talk about our wonderful BA (Bachelor of Arts) programs. If you are looking for a way to incorporate music into your college career, but aren’t sure if you want to dive into a concentrated MT degree, the BA in Music could be a wonderful option to consider. This program allows for a lot more flexibility than the traditional MT degree, as far as incorporating things like study abroad, or other non-music related courses. The most popular paths are a BA in Music with an emphasis in Pre-Med or Pre-Law, but you can work with your advisor to incorporate almost any other path of study that you are interested in!
Can you travel abroad if desired?
Traveling abroad during the semester is very rare for Music Theatre students, as our schedules do not accommodate for a semester-long abroad program. If you really want to study abroad during the semester, you will likely graduate a semester late! However, a pursing a BA in Music instead of a Musical Theatre degree would accommodate that while keeping you on track to graduate in four years. We also have study abroad opportunities during the summer that are not music or theatre-related but can fulfill certain gen-ed credits.
Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?
Certain helpful dance classes, such as partnering, are not available to Music Theatre Students. It is very hard to get into acting classes that aren’t required for Music School students to take, such as Shakespeare or On-Camera acting. I wish we had more opportunities for on-camera training in general. I also wish that we had “business of the business” classes, that teach about taxes as an artist, marketing yourself, etc. We currently have no required classes that discuss topics like this, only one class that is only offered every other year that is very hard to get enrolled in. There are occasional masterclasses held by casting directors and other industry professionals that cover these topics, but I think they should be full courses.
What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?
I would describe the dynamic as very collaborative and mentor-like. One of my professors has described it as a “partnership in learning”, which I always loved. I interact with our deans almost daily because of my job, and they are both very kind and always willing to stop and talk to students during the day. Working my job in the Dean’s Suite has really shown me just how much the faculty care about the students’ experience at our school. Our advisors are some especially wonderful people who make it their mission to make sure students get what they need!
Can you tell us about some of the faculty you train with who really inspire you?
My voice teacher is one of my favorite humans in the world and I can’t imagine my college experience without her. She tailors each of her students’ individual voices better than anyone I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen so much growth in my confidence since studying with her. She is a huge advocate of mental health awareness in the performing arts and makes her office a safe space for whatever you may be feeling that day. She has taught me a lot about being gentle with myself and trusting the process over product every step of the way. She absolutely has a gift for pedagogy and has been a constant source of support throughout these past few years.
What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?
As far as traditional classroom feedback, I’ve had professors who give feedback on every single assignment (usually via email), and some who give none. However, you are almost always welcome to ask about a grade you receive; I have never had a professor who wasn’t willing to give me written feedback if asked or meet with me over Zoom/in person to discuss my work. In performance-based classes, you will get feedback masterclass-style: on the spot, to be worked on in class in front of your peers. Professors will usually give written feedback for Midterm and final performances, however, to save time. Outside of the classroom, you are encouraged to receive 1 on 1 audition feedback with the casting director after every audition. This is an optional opportunity, and it is your job to e-mail the director and set up a meeting time. r
For your classes, you will receive surveys at the end of each semester where you anonymously give written feedback and numerical ratings for the professor and the class itself. These are required by all students in order to enroll for the next semester. As far as I know, there is currently no system in place for students to give feedback directly to the deans or directors of the program. This is something I wish we had in place, as I believe that the students should be giving feedback and having autonomy over our education. Hopefully we as a student body can come together and ask for this to be implemented into our program!
What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment?
This year, our school founded OCU Care (Creatives for Artistic and Realistic Equity), an organization dedicated to promoting a more equitable environment for students of all backgrounds. All throughout last year, OCU Care led free “town halls” over Zoom that were open to all university students, in which discussions were had (with guests in the entertainment industry who were knowledgeable about each topic) about providing resources and taking action in fields such as body empowerment, LGBTQUIA+ inclusivity, racial and ethnic diversity, mental health and wellness, and disability, accessibility, and neurodivergence. These conversations gave students a safe space to voice their concerns about representation in our program, in and outside of the classroom.
I am not currently on the student board of OCU Care and can only speak from an outside perspective, but I believe that those beginning conversations were an important step in seeing tangible change and greater equity in our program. Our students and faculty are ready to do the work.
What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health?
Also in coordination with OCU Care, our program is dedicated to making OCU a safer space for students mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Recently OCU Care announced the introduction of Mental Health First Aid to our campus. Eleven students, alumni, and staff received training in looking for signs of mental struggle in students and are educated in how to assess each situation to make sure appropriate action is taken to ensure mental safety of all students. This includes faculty in both the instrumental and vocal departments. Our student first-aiders plan to be the first line of defense when starting necessary dialogue with the university about our needs.
This summer, students also received an anonymous survey from our program directors regarding safety in rehearsal spaces. We were able to provide insight into what safe rehearsal spaces look like for us and what in the past has contributed to us feeling safe or unsafe to be creative or express an idea or concern in rehearsals. I consider this a huge step in making sure students feel as safe as possible to create beautiful art in an academic setting, and I am excited to see how they put our feedback into action this year.
These town halls, first-aiders, and surveys are just the beginning of what OCU Care wants to accomplish, in conjunction with faculty members, to serve the students in the music school and be a force for change in the arts industry. You can follow them on Instagram @ocu_care for more information!
What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?
Finding a group of great friends! With the countless freshmen orientation activities and the small campus vibe of OCU, plus the small classroom sizes, it’s pretty easy to connect with people! Just be yourself and be open to new experiences! I made most of my non-music school friends through my involvement in Greek life (something I never expected to be a part of going into freshman year.
How did you know that this was the right place for you?
I am one of those people who tends to trust my “gut feelings” regarding whether a place, person, or experience is right for me. My decision to go to OCU was, truthfully, made the day of my audition. If I can pinpoint a distinct feature that I think led to that instinctual feeling of OCU being “the one”, it would be the people. I saw bits of myself in students that I interacted with, and still remember our conversations to this day. They answered my questions honestly. I also noticed how they interacted with each other, which is something that not a lot of people think to do but can say a lot about program dynamics. They were drinking coffee and sharing inside joke. I found myself wanting that too, wishing I could join them. Nothing seemed fake, and I never felt smothered. I also got the opportunity to drive around and explore a bit of the city after my audition, which I highly recommend to anyone searching. Some of the best advice that MCA gave me was to consider where you could see yourself living for 4 years, regardless of the program. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from OKC, but 2 years in and I still haven’t explored everything on my list! OKC is such an underrated food city; some of the best meals I have had in my life have been here. There are some beautiful parks, farmers markets, great museums, and different districts with their own vibes and shops. It has continued to surprise me and has been a wonderful city to be a college student in. The opportunity to pursue a double-major was also a big factor in my decision, but ultimately it came down to instinct and how I could clearly see myself fitting into everyday life there.