Think about some of the most famous opera singers of all time. What do they all have in common? What is the deciding factor that makes a singer not only a serviceable employee to an opera company but also helps them become FAMOUS? Besides lots of hard work, talent, and luck, there’s a defining characteristic … More The One Thing Every Famous Opera Singer Has
Let’s talk about double-casting. It’s something every opera singer takes part in at some point in their singing life. What is double-casting? Double-casting happens when companies want to put on more shows than vocally possible for one cast (our tender cords can only take so much). It also occurs when universities need to provide performance … More The Do’s and Don’ts of Double-Casting
Choosing a starter audition aria is a big decision for a budding, young singer. Many opportunities can come from starting auditions with the right aria. In my own mercurial past of auditioning, I felt like a professional “auditionee” at one point because I was doing it so often — it was like a part-time job! … More My 6 Tips for Choosing a Starter Audition Aria
I was 25 years old studying at Yale University for a music degree. This was when I began meeting agents for the first time (my first connection with the real world of opera!). Until this point, I was just an eager student with big dreams. I became relatively close with one agent who showed interest … More The Worst Advice I Ever Received: Language Edition
I get why this prospect can be so fascinating. Imagine, not having to spend all those years pursuing a college degree and BOOM landing auditions and singing on main stages around the world. One must have a talent for singing — perhaps, according to some, a gift. What more is there to gain as a … More Do You Need a College Degree to Sing Opera? Here’s My Answer.
They say some of the best things in life are free. So in the expense-heavy life of a performing artist, a bit of free, helpful advice is generally welcome. In this blog post, I’d like to offer a few different outlooks to help your confidence as a performer, reach that next level, and achieve a … More 4 Ways to Skyrocket Your Confidence as a Performer
Who would have ever guessed that I’d be writing a blog post about this? Years ago, no one had a big enough crystal ball to foresee our current state of world health, yet here we are in a seemingly never-ending pandemic. One of the main ways opera companies are surviving is by implementing measures to … More The Masked Opera Singer: How to Navigate Singing in a Mask Without Ruining Your Technique
Let me begin by sharing my reasons for opening up about one of the riskiest decisions of my life. It’s not something I’m proud of and I feel quite a bit of shame admitting my truth. The lesson behind the story is what’s most important and I hope it will inspire others to not put … More My Secret Plastic Surgery and How I Risked Losing My Voice
When I think of pinnacle lyric baritone roles, Billy Budd, Pelléas, Don Giovanni, Athanaël, Wolfram, and Zurga all come to mind. But a standout amongst all these is Eugene Onegin. It requires a long night of well-paced singing with a dramatic arc for the character that is so difficult to develop and sustain as a … More How I Role: Tchaikovsky’s Jaded Aristocrat Eugene Onegin
I love classical music. I love it so much that when there’s a longstanding systemic problem within it, I get gravely disappointed because I know this art form can be more. It has the potential to create, share, heal, and change humanity and when that potential is blunted, it’s beyond disheartening. One of the many … More Time for Action: The Birth of Perfect Day Music Foundation
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