Student Blog: My Experience as a Transfer Student in Musical Theatre

I began my freshman year of college as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Music major, ready to study piano, voice, and composition. Having been through the exhausting Musical Theatre college audition process, my perspective had changed on what I wanted my future to look like. I knew I wanted to be involved in all aspects of music, beyond just performance. At the time, this university had seemed like the perfect fit. 

Freshman year was filled with exploration: I took theory classes, joined jazz combo, dropped jazz combo, joined concert choir, took piano lessons, took voice lessons, and attended countless performances and masterclasses. Through it all, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. As I approached spring semester, I had all but come to the conclusion that I just didn’t feel I belonged here. I missed Theatre, and I just couldn’t find the opportunities I was looking for at my current institution. Musical Theatre was what I had originally set out to do, and after not finding true fulfillment where I was, I began to explore the idea of transferring.

The decision was not one I made quickly, and the looming uncertainty of it all caused a lot of sleepless nights. Would I actually be happier at another school? What if things only got worse? Could I go through the isolating initial period of having no friends all over again? Choosing a college is a notoriously stress-inducing process, and it certainly wasn’t any easier the second time around. If anything, the prospect of transferring to a new university filled me with even more anxiety than committing to my first college. After weighing my options, I decided to take the risk. Luckily, for me, the risk was well worth the reward. After applying and auditioning, I ended up at my current school, the University of South Carolina, pursuing a B.A. in Music with a Musical Theatre concentration. 

I was a bundle of nerves the first day of my sophomore year. From my first day on campus, though, I was astonished at the number of students who went out of their way to introduce themselves to me or help me navigate the School of Music. The campus was noticeably larger than my previous university (and not quite as walkable), but I quickly found a group of buddies with similar schedules, and we made a daily habit of traveling from class to class together. In addition to progressing with my theory classes, I was enrolled in theatre courses, dance classes, choir, applied voice, and a few general education requirements. All of my professors were encouraging and welcomed me with open arms, and I was finally getting to do everything I loved.

As if all that wasn’t enough to sell me on USC, I got to participate in Musical Theatre Workshop. In the fall, it was a huge cast of around forty people, all different majors, but each one of them an excited theatre kid happy to be in a room with other excited theatre kids. There was a certain magic in the air when we met in the rehearsal room; it was unlike anything I had experienced before. I constantly found myself thinking about how excited I was to be in rehearsal rooms like this for the rest of my life. We prepared a showcase for the end of the semester that involved group numbers, solos, and choreography. The process was challenging– but incredibly rewarding. My love for my new school only continued to grow in the spring semester, when we rehearsed and performed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I was cast as Schwartzy, which was unlike any role or show I ever had done before. That experience alone was one of the most meaningful of my life. Being in two casts with such amazing friends made me quickly feel like I was part of a team, and I realized very early on that I was finally where I was meant to be. 

Things weren’t always easy, obviously. Life has its challenges no matter where you go, which is another thing I learned this past year. There were times when I felt absolutely consumed by self-doubt, and other times where I just felt lost. I’m learning to give myself grace, though, and having the support system that I have now has certainly made it a little bit easier.

The decision to transfer, while daunting, was one of the best and most important decisions I have made in my life. Reflecting on the past year, I feel I’ve grown exponentially as a musician, as a performer, and as a human being. I am indescribably grateful to have such an incredible network of peers and professors around me: something I didn’t even realize my life was missing before. Most importantly, my experience has taught me to take risks and stand up for what I want out of life. I can now honestly say I am excited for the future– wherever it may lead me.