Top-Ranked Vocals Institutes Across Globe
In the dynamic world of pop, R&B, soul, and electronic music, finding the right vocal performance school is crucial for aspiring singers. Here are some renowned institutions that specialize in contemporary music education, offering high-level vocal training, industry-oriented skills, and access to influential networks.
Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA
Berklee College of Music, renowned for its focus on contemporary music, offers comprehensive programs in songwriting, vocal performance, and music production tailored for genres like pop, R&B, and soul. With a roster of notable alumni in popular music, it is widely considered the world’s premier contemporary music school.
USC Thornton School of Music, Los Angeles, USA
USC Thornton School of Music offers extensive vocal arts programs including popular music and jazz studies. Located in the heart of the entertainment industry, it supports contemporary artists with strong industry ties and community engagement.
Manhattan School of Music, New York, USA
Manhattan School of Music provides specialized tracks in contemporary performance, jazz arts, and musical theatre, with a vibrant performance calendar and resources supporting emerging vocal artists in popular music genres.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, UK
Though traditionally classical, Guildhall is also recognized for music production and performance training that can extend effectively to contemporary styles including electronic music.
Lehrer Vocal Institute, Southern California, USA
Lehrer Vocal Institute focuses on developing impactful vocal artists with training opportunities that include contemporary vocal chamber music and collaborative contemporary projects, suited for modern vocalists in diverse genres.
The Juilliard School, New York, USA
While historically classical and jazz-focused, Juilliard’s vocal arts extend to contemporary music disciplines and provide top-level training and performance experience, making it acclaimed worldwide.
These institutions combine high-level vocal training with industry-oriented skills, stage performance, and access to influential networks, preparing contemporary singers specifically in pop, R&B, soul, and electronic music genres. Among these, Berklee College of Music and USC Thornton School of Music stand out for their explicit contemporary music focus and industry integration.
Being based in music hubs like London, LA, or Nashville can open doors, but so can a great online program. A great vocal school should help students build a career, offering learning about artist branding, music business, marketing, and collaboration. For instance, Pointblank Music School, with campuses in London, LA, Ibiza, and an online learning platform, offers degrees or short courses catering to various locations and aspirations. Its industry expert instructors have earned the school a TEF Gold rating. Additionally, Pointblank provides free courses, exclusive music-making tools, and tutorials through its Free Stuff page.
The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, UK, is one of the UK's top institutions for modern music education, with a focus on performance, songwriting, music business, and production. Students at ACM gain hands-on experience in professional studios, learning how to perform in the booth and work with producers.
Musicians Institute, based in Los Angeles, USA, specializes in contemporary music education, focusing on pop, rock, soul, R&B, and commercial vocal performance. Students collaborate with full bands, rehearse for live shows, and perform regularly in front of audiences.
Belmont University's School of Music in Nashville is a standout choice for vocalists aiming to break into the commercial music industry, with a focus on country, gospel, pop, and Christian music.
In conclusion, whether you're based in a music hub or prefer an online program, these top vocal performance schools worldwide offer the skills and networks necessary for a successful career in contemporary music.
The Berklee College of Music in Boston, known for its contemporary music focus, offers comprehensive programs in pop, R&B, and soul songwriting, vocal performance, and music production.
Musicians Institute in Los Angeles specializes in contemporary music education, focusing on pop, rock, soul, R&B, and commercial vocal performance, providing opportunities for students to collaborate with full bands and perform regularly.
