Peabody Conservatory of Music

Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the Peabody Conservatory of Music (or just "The Peabody") is known as one of the most difficult performing arts schools in the world. Following a stringent conservatory program, it churns out concert pianists and talented orchestral musicians each year in a systematic programming of the classics.

At the age of 12, popular singer/songwriter Tori Amos is the youngest person to be admitted to the school but she was later ejected for refusing to play classical music, and for her refusal to follow sheet music.