The importance of networking in the career of an opera singer, as in any highly competitive business, is immeasurable. In many instances ideas are born and projects conceived and talked about within those exchanges.
You should network with colleagues as well as with the artistic staff of the companies with which you work. Company parties and special events planned during the rehearsal and performance period of a production provide great networking opportunities.
If you are still in school, you can start networking now. Relationships with peers and professors can engender a warmth and camaraderie that will likely last a lifetime.
Networking at competitions and auditions can be a great tool to help you find the right manager. When I began to do competitions and auditions, managers were often in the room. They like to be aware of the emerging artists. In competitions, they also like to know what the judges think of these new artists.
Doing a competition is not so much about winning as it is about having the experience. You are letting the industry know who you are and what you have to offer—and the networking opportunities are phenomenal.
The recording business is another prime example of a large-spectrum networking opportunity. The recording industry, for all types of music, is changing greatly. Most singers dream of obtaining an exclusive contract with a recording label, or of recording with various labels. Opportunities to do this, however, are not in abundance, so I recommend recording your own CD. Heading your own recording project offers great liberty in choosing the repertoire and performers. You’ll need to hire an executive producer who will be in charge of many of the logistical issues and who can recommend a good sound engineer.
Once the idea is in place, you can contact a smaller label to see if they are interested in your project. Most smaller labels have good distribution for their products, but they might not have a department dedicated to promoting your recording. This is where a press agent/publicist enters the picture. A press agent can help you get the most mileage out of the product you have to sell. He or she gets your name and your product out there in the press, in magazines, on the radio—in short, whichever media outlet the agent can access. You can hire a press agent long-term or by the project.
Even without a CD, a press agent is valuable to help you promote name recognition. The press agent is in frequent contact with various publications to promote you and to find interview opportunities.
Another important tool to help get the word out there is a personal website. The Internet is a vital part of our everyday lives. We depend on it and thrive on it. So do the people who create project ideas and hire singers. A press agent will refer to your site when speaking to the press. Opera companies will investigate what your site says about you. Feature a complete biography that includes every accolade you’ve ever received, stunning portraits and production photos, a schedule of your performances, and even a personal blog. The latter is a favorite among fans who enjoy the chance to have a more personal glimpse into your career.
Along a completely different vein, networking now can serve you greatly if one day you want to start your own company. I know several singers, each very talented and unquestionably a stage animal, who ultimately chose to focus their talents in the direction of running the show. Every contact they had made since their music school days formed a part of their team, either directly or as an advisor.
Whether you’re thinking about how to further your career as a singer, heading the project of recording your own CD, or running your own performing arts company, the message here is that we need each other. No one arrives solely on his or her own. Ideas and inspiration need energy, exchange, and challenges to come to fruition. Working together, the possibilities are endless.
