>>>Do you take a year or two off, keep up w/ voice lessons, but just work off the debt as much as possible?
>>>Do you audition your ass off and plunge right in?
>>>...Do you start teaching lessons out of your home?
I think you should take advantage of the opportunities that you can get when you can get them. If you land a big yap or some gigs right out of school, then go for it. If not, then work and take lessons and coachings and start paying off the debt as you go. The good thing about student loan debt is that it's a fixed expense. The interest rate isn't going to balloon on you like a credit card might and the payments are always going to be the same. It's also not a problem on your credit report so long as you keep making those payments on time. Just don't run up credit card debt in addition. And yes, if you can refinance your credit card debt onto your student loans that will help you so long as you don't turn around and run up more debt.
>>>My parents are supportive but kind of think this whole thing is unbelievable. My dad puts it: "if you get a masters in business, you will get a great paying job out of it..i don't understand how you can finish a music masters and not get a good job"
Well, ummmm. I do understand what he's saying. In most fields a graduate degree pretty much guarantees you a substantial salary bump. In fact, student loan debt is usually considered a good deal because the difference between salaries for someone with a BS in Business compared vs. an MBA or even a public school teacher with a master's vs. a bachelor's is usually enough money to pay for the cost of the degree in a few years' time. That's not true for us. You are getting advanced training. There are some benefits and there are some jobs that are available once you get the degree but not nearly as many jobs as people in school. So your father is right to be concerned. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it. But you should go forward with your eyes wide open.
HT
"No person is your friend who demands your silence or denies your right to grow." - Alice Walker
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