Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Paulette Penzvalto (USA), PG Diploma in Music
In many ways Cardiff seems designed for students. I came all the way from America to study in this one of a kind city and to be surrounded by all the wonderful opportunities for growth, research and performance that Cardiff has to offer. Cardiff is an open, loving city and from the moment of my arrival I felt it was my home. Any time of the year there is something fun happening here- the huge bonfire and fireworks on Guy Fawkes Day, the Winter Wonderland, the New Year Carnival, they just keep coming! Shopping is fantastic and Queen St. does not have its rival in Wales for fashion and practicality in one location. Cardiff also boasts a wonderful public transport system that I rely on every day.
One of the most important things about the vocal program at RWCMD is the amount of performance opportunity we can receive. A student may perform as little or as much as they would like and for some this is an invaluable asset. Something that struck me was the good-natured attitude of all our teachers and coaches. They make learning so much fun that it’s easy to forget we are in class. The course is obviously thought out by vocal professionals and really encompasses everything that a singer will realistically need to have a successful career in music. We are given thorough diction, movement and acting courses and I am particularly impressed by the Business Skills component, which prepares us for that inevitable, although often overlooked, part of our careers. A chance for an education this enjoyable and well rounded should not be missed. At RWCMD I cannot wait to get to class in the morning and I will graduate as a happy, well-educated and confident musician.
There were many wonderful conservatories in the US, but I accepted my place at RWCMD before I had even completed my other auditions. What initially drew me to the college was its size and impressive the student-to-teacher ratio and their generous accommodation of students with any type of disability. I was also excited about the comprehensive and imaginative courses. It is a stimulating environment for an artist at any level and as a mature student I have really been challenged to new heights of creativity. Interdepartmental dialogue is highly encouraged and the result is a level of artistic awareness you will not find in a larger institution. Another great characteristic of this school is the teacher’s enthusiasm and ability to inform and excite students about subjects far from their own major. There are wonderful resources at the RWCMD library, as well as the University and no information is out our reach. No review of this college would be complete without considering the food- and if there is one thing outside of the RWCMD’s wonderful reputation that would have made my decision, it would have been the mouth-watering, healthy and inexpensive meals that are available to us every day right in the cafeteria.”
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