Meagan Searles Todd
Lyric Soprano
San Diego, Calif.
Please tell our readers about your career highlights so far.
Singing Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia was a wonderful challenge. I had to learn the role in about a week. Thankfully, I adore Britten! Also, my upcoming engagement as Juliette is sure to be a highlight. I’m already in love with the role.
What are your goals for the next five years? The next 10 years?
In the next five years I would love to keep working my way up the ladder. I’m currently beginning to sing lead roles in small, regional houses, and hopefully, in the next five years I will be auditioning for larger regional houses. In 10 years I hope I’ve established myself as someone those houses can rely on and want to use.
What is your dream role, and why?
It’s funny, I used to think it was this role or that role, but now I find it is whatever role I am working on. I am so honored when someone hires me to sing, and it is so exciting to prepare a role. I get completely wrapped up in whatever is on my plate. So, right now it would be Juliette!
How do you handle the inevitable rejection that is part of a singer’s life?
I once got a rejection from a program for which I didn’t even audition, on the same day that I got three other, legitimate rejections. At that point you just have to laugh. And ever since then, that is pretty much my approach. I just shake my head and think, “Isn’t it amazing that I am still out here doing this?”
How do you balance career and family?
I’ve been married for over three years and have a dog that I adore. It is incredibly hard being away. I haven’t spent a summer at home since I got married. However, I firmly laid out my priorities when I got married. There are auditions that I simply don’t even consider, like yearlong programs away from home. If I’m going to be a professional singer, it will have to be without those opportunities. I have to do a lot more work to find opportunities that will work for me, but it is incredibly worth it.
What is your favorite article you’ve read in Classical Singer, and why?
I love all the articles recently on managing negative thoughts, visualization, being comfortable in your own head, etc.—such as the “You Are What You Think” series. I’ve seen more and more articles like that in the past couple years and they are so helpful to a cerebral person like myself. I need all the help I can get with getting out of my own way!
Who is your favorite singer and why?
My Mom. She’s in the Wagner Society’s Gold Book and was also head of the voice department at Butler University. She is an incredible teacher, and instead of her voice sounding older, I think she sounds better every year. Her technique is amazing.
When you turn on the radio what do you listen to?
Country music. No kidding.
What is your favorite techno tool you use as a singer?
My Classical Singer website, www.MeaganTodd.com. I love including it with my materials for auditions. Companies can learn so much more about me so easily.
