The Vocal Performance Academic Area supports a special "Open Studio" policy, which encourages the vocal faculty to work as a team toward the progress of every student.

Although each Vocal Performance student has an applied teacher of record, they may also take one or two lessons with any other applied instructor upon request to the head of the Vocal Performance area. The teacher of record may also attend with the student (if the student so chooses), and cannot discourage this practice.

Open Studio promotes the best possible instruction for each student, as it enhances collegiality among the applied vocal faculty. A faculty member can send a student to a colleague for diction or technical assistance without fear of "losing" that student, but rather anticipating that the student will return inspired.