“You are your greatest asset. Put your time, effort and money into training, grooming, and encouraging your greatest asset.” Tom Hopkins
What items are on your list when you are packing and getting ready to participate in your Summer Program? It’s always good to start making your list early on so that you first of all, you don’t forget anything and second so you can make any necessary adjustments before its time to put your things into your suitcase, your expense account and your memory banks.
I would like to give you some tips on how to prepare for this amazing opportunity, whether you will be spending your time someplace old or new in the USA or in some foreign country.
Rule number one is to go as prepared as you can musically. That is what you are there for, right? It’s your job for the summer. So show those once you are there, that you are being professional by having any music already memorized, translated, character chart filled out, and composer and librettist researched. This gives you a great place to start the process and a real occasion for growth and a deeper understanding of whatever you will be learning and performing during your time there. If you are in the chorus, take it upon yourself to learn one of the appropriate roles from that opera and see if you can hang out during the soloists’ rehearsals to learn as much as you can about the character, staging, musical intention, etc. and work on applying this as if you were the understudy.
One never knows what the weather might turn into where ever you are going, so think about bringing lots of lighter layering. (There are so many materials in the market today that are light but warm and water proof. And don’t forget socks.) Less is better. You can always wash things out in the sink in your room if necessary. Formal ware will probably be necessary and that, especially for men, takes more room in a suitcase than a woman’s gown and shoes, so think about what you can leave behind. Once you are packed, take yourself and your suitcase, and your backpack and walk around a couple of blocks with all that you feel you absolutely need to have with you including your computer, music, etc. This will let you know exactly how much effort you will have to expend when schlepping around the airports, etc. And I can tell you from experience, you will probably not wear or use everything you brought, so learn how to pack smart and practical. It’s a learning process just like anything else.
And lastly, act like a professional. Learn the customs of wherever you are going even if it is a different place in the USA and not just abroad. Adapt and apply them to your behavior. There is nothing worse than encountering an “UGLY AMERICAN” anyplace. It’s important to remember that you are representing your country, your own Personal Brand, and the Brand of the Summer Program you are attending. If you want to be remembered for all the right reasons make this idea a priority as you move forward.
So Avanti! And let me hear from you. Carol
