By Carol Kirkpatrick, author of ARIA READY, The Business of Singing
It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of being back in school or stepping out into the real world of the professional. So now it is going to be up to you to make sure that you have the skills and tools needed to proceed with confidence. That means you might have to step outside your comfort zone and step up to the challenge of getting this done all by yourself. What am I talking about? Sure you need to have a solid vocal technique, understanding of the history of music and performance, performance experience, etc. However, equally important is knowledge of how to run a business, acting skills that go way beyond what you currently rely on, and mastering the basic period dances that might be required in future performances.
How hard would it be to take a different business class every semester or once you are out of school from a school of business? Not just one class but classes on several different disciplines of business over several years. How much do you really know about what is required to set up and run a business? That is what you are going to be doing once you are out of school. Building a singing career is 95% business. It’s not emotional or personal; it’s a job you are doing. And it never ends even when or if you have management. If you are not involved as a team in the decision making and creation of a plan of action to follow especially in the beginning, it’s hard to move in any direction, let along one that takes you where you want to go. So make it easier for yourself by gaining these very important tools and skills. Sure you might be stepping outside your comfort zone. But no one else is going to do it for you. You are not going to be led, you have to lead.
Take some straight acting classes. Perform in a play. Learn to lose your inhibitions when on stage. Figure out how to really get to know your character and how that character fits into the piece you are doing. Watch your colleagues who have had more experience at this to see in action how you can apply what you are learning to your performance. You will be amazed when you move over to performing as a character in opera, or in recital, how this has changed your perspective and how you have grown.
I’ve noticed so many singers are unfamiliar with how their bodies move and therefore are reticent to get involved in any dance numbers within a piece. You can’t just expect to know how to do this. It also takes extra training. Are you willing to put the necessary time in to get comfortable with the entire craft of performing or do you think it is just the singing part. It’s the whole package that needs your attention.
Don’t get caught flat footed once you graduate or if you have already done so. You are the only person in charge of what happens to you. You have to step outside your comfort zone to make change happen. If you do what you’ve always done, you will never get more than what you have always gotten. Is that enough! It’s your choice of how prepared you want to be as you continue to move forward on your career path. Talent and voice are not enough to make a career. Often the most talented, because they don’t know what to do next, fall through the cracks. Don’t be one of those singers. Educate yourself. If you trust what I am saying and it feels right to you, then get busy and do it! Get unstuck! Business, Acting, Dancing – the additional building blocks for a great career.
Now go get um!!! Ciao until next time. Carol
Email Carol at Carol@ariaready.net.
Since retiring from the stage, Carol Kirkpatrick continues to be in demand as a voice teacher, clinician, and adjudicator of competitions including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Combining her knowledge of performance, business, and interpersonal skills, she has written the second edition of her highly regarded book, Aria Ready: The Business of Singing, a step-by-step career guide for singers and teachers of singing. Aria Ready has been used by universities, music conservatories and summer and apprentice programs throughout the world as a curriculum for teaching Ms. Kirkpatrick’s process of career development, making her “the” expert in this area. She lives in Denver, Colorado.
