AIMS surveys participants each year. The comments below are by AIMS vocal, piano and orchestra alumni. To view the comments from 2006 AIMSers who responded, click here.
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"Teaching at AIMS is a joy! Wonderful, focused singers, fine colleagues, a great supportive program, and enough time to see growth, success, careers, and lives change!" Karen Peeler (voice faculty ’99-’00, ’06)
"AIMS is an ideal program for singers looking to polish and hone their skills and gain additional performance opportunities. It provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience European culture and study the German language." Sara Thomas, Sr. Editor Classical Singer Magazine; (soprano ’04)
"I find the intensive, team approach to study that is cultivated at AIMS whereby each student works with a voice teacher, coach, language diction coach, and audition training teachers along with other specialized faculty several times each week to be invaluable to both students and teachers." Lori McCann (voice faculty ’05-&rsquo07)
"I learned more about my voice and myself in six weeks than I had learned in the previous six years. All I regret about AIMS is that I didn’t go sooner. AIMS was much cheaper than a doctorate, and much better ’real world’ experience. I am a better singer, teacher, and artist because of what I learned at AIMS and I will always be glad that I came to Graz." Eden Casteel Simmons (soprano ’05; Meistersinger Competition Finalist)
"Within one week of being at AIMS, I had already gotten my money’s worth. The program is life-changing!" Laura Sauer (soprano ’05)
"I had the chance to work with so many good and serious singers as well as top-notch teachers...that alone was worth it, but I carried away so much from the program that the cost was miniscule compared to what I learned. Contrary to being burnt out by six weeks of intensive music studying, at the end of AIMS I was more eager than ever to go to my university’s music library and check out as many books on Lieder and opera as I could carry. I realized the true quality of the AIMS music instructors when the first book I checked out happened to be edited by not one, but five AIMS instructors." Jeremy Peterman (student pianist ’03, ’04; staff pianist ’05- ’07)
"The American Institute of Musical Studies is probably the most positive musical experience I have ever had. The instructors are there first and foremost for the singers. AIMS offers the best instructors and musical minds in the country to be at your beck and call. I learned more in six weeks than in two years at undergrad. I love this program, and I recommend it to young and mature singers alike. I certainly had a priceless experience." Mimi Lanseur (mezzo-soprano ’05)
"Thank you for such an amazing experience with AIMS. This program has forever changed my life. I have grown so much not only musically, but personally as well." Bonnie Lavender (soprano ’05)
"After a year out of school, this program has allowed me to experience music in every facet 24 hours a day...opened my eyes to career possibilities abroad...and has given me a new focus for my music. AIMS has been life-changing." Sarah Hoffmann (soprano ’05)
"This was a wonderful opportunity for us to learn and grow. Not only was it fabulous to get to explore the culture and history of a much older world than ours, but we lacked the distractions that would have affected us had this program existed in our home environment. It was perfect!" Adrienne Turner (soprano ’05)
"The AIMS program was an amazing experience and I will miss it." John Reynolds (baritone ’05)
"A great program! There were many opportunities for lots of skill and experience levels, and when a student did not obtain one opportunity, another usually became available. The people, especially the faculty and staff, were wonderful!" Dara Hobbs (soprano ’05)
"The AIMS personnel have clearly spent many
years perfecting the six weeks in Graz into a well-oiled machine. My AIMS experience was life changing."
Russell Burns (viola ’04, ’05)
"The AIMS experience offers an excellent orchestra and 1st class conductors for unbeatable training." Joshua Kovach (clarinet ’03, ’04, ’05)
"It was wonderful!" Margalit Cantor (cello ’05-’07)
"AIMS is a very
friendly, positive program in which you can be challenged to your own personal
best of performance and language study. Invaluable if you are moving from a
student to professional and want to test the waters!"
Emma Worthington-Lee (soprano ’04; Meistersinger Competition Finalist)
"AIMS has given me a true sense of where I need to work from?how I measure up and areas I need to strengthen for a future in classical singing. I learned more about my voice and how to maximize its use in one week at AIMS than I had in three years." Eldric Bashful (tenor ’03, ’04, ’06)
"AIMS in every way, from
the comments of the incredibly supportive staff to singing with the orchestra,
is an amazing experience! This program changed my performance level and image
of myself - I will never forget it!"
Katherine Lauson (mezzo-soprano ’03)
"AIMS was an experience of a lifetime!" Kathleen Bryant (soprano ’04)
"AIMS was one of the most amazing experiences of my life." Brianne Keefe (soprano ’03)
"AIMS is a wonderful summer music program for singers of all ages. It provides top musical training in the beautiful setting of Graz, Austria. I highly recommend this program to all singers!" Sarah Linske (soprano’01-’02)
"I learned more in six weeks at AIMS than I did in five years of college The experience I gained has been one of the most awesome things in my life." Vanessa Olmstead (soprano ’98, ’00; Meistersinger Competition Finalist)
"Anyone who is seriously considering a career as a singer should attend AIMS. It was an excellent opportunity to fine tune one’s voice, network with faculty, and become fluent in German. AIMS tests you to see if you have the guts and the stamina in this intensive program. Since I have returned, my auditions have been excellent and numerous opera companies are interested in me." Vanessa Schukis (soprano ’00)
"AIMS is the kind of environment in which you can’t help but grow, not only musically, but as a person. It’s home!" Blythe Gaissert (mezzo-soprano ’98)
"AIMS is providing such an incredible gift to the singers of the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Luuna Kenney-Law (soprano ’97)
"Your faculty represents what every arts institution should practice first and foremost, education for all, not just the most talented or privileged. AIMS refreshed my spirit and energized my performer’s inner voice." Diana Livingston (soprano ’97; Meistersinger Competition Finalist)
"Quite possibly one of the best musical experiences of my life." Melody Choi (cello ’00-’01)
"Everyone I had ever known who had gone to AIMS in the past couldn’t stop raving about it, and now I know why. It was my best summer ever." Gary Hellick (trombone ’00-’01)
"The music, the people I met, and the atmosphere were so incredible! My experience with AIMS is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life." Jennifer Metheny (soprano ’97)
"AIMS is an excellent program of study. I learned more than I ever have in such an intense time period." Arietha Lockhart (soprano ’97-’98; Meistersinger Competition 1st Place winner)
"I?ll never forget the love, caring, and concern your program gave to the singers. AIMS is indeed a marvelous tool for them, no matter what their level. THANK YOU for your incredible program." Lisa Laskowich (staff pianist ’98)
"I learned SO much and
had a fabulous time with all my new friends, colleagues, and contacts. I am
very thankful for all of the opportunities to sing that I was given."
Aidan Soder (mezzo-soprano ’99,
Meistersinger Competition Finalist)
"AIMS was a wonderful experience of learning, performing, and seeing a dedicated staff in action. I am personally better from being blessed to have had this opportunity. Many thoughts continue to filter down from this unique and outstanding musical studies program." Nancy Marriott (soprano ’98)
"The AIMS experience is necessary for any opera singer that doesn’t want to just ’fall into’ the European music scene. With dedication and diligence, one can come away with a wealth of knowledge and preparation." Marsha Thompson (soprano ’00; Meistersinger Competition Finalist)
"I am proud to say that I am passing on some of what I learned at AIMS to my students, who consistently win state and regional vocal competitions, secure leads in the opera at UM, and go on to graduate schools and conservatories in the US. Thanks for your inspiration!" Jo Ella Todd (soprano ’75, ’76)
"I remember my time at AIMS fondly as a wonderful experience of growing as a singer, enjoying a new culture, and making many friends whom I still enjoy." Kurt-Alexander Zeller (tenor ’87)
"As a young collegiate singer, AIMS opened my eyes to the larger world of music! Many thanks to all of you who have kept the dream alive." Bruce Cain (tenor ’76)
"AIMS is a very fulfilling experience. We
are amazed at how much the program offers and accomplishes in only six weeks. We thoroughly
enjoy our contacts with students, faculty, and staff; and the city and its surroundings are beautiful."
Beaumont and Evangeline Glass (vocal coaches ’00-’07)
"What AIMS means to me the opportunity to help young talent grow and develop while spending the summer in one of my favorite parts of Europe." Bodo Igesz (Stage Artistry ’93-’95, ’97-’06)
"Once you go to AIMS, you become part of the great AIMS family." Vicki King (student pianist ’80; coaching faculty ’83-’07)
