Q&A Part 3 - The Business
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Hey everyone, welcome to part 3, where I talk about different aspects of the business, getting into it, and managing your way through it. My journey is pretty common: I graduated college with a performance degree in 2005 and went into a big young artist program for 3 years before beginning a professional career, which I’ve maintained for about a dozen years. I have had to make some major personal journeys of self-discovery and growth so that I could pursue my dream.
ADVICE: 1:06
What to work on when you’re still in school and conservatory. What are the most important healthy habits to build, and taking advantage of those years in a safe setting to experiment and try new things. Finding the best practices both technically and personally, which will serve you better in your career when you start working full time.
LANGUAGES: 5:28
The benefits of investing time into serious language study; you’ll be better at practicing and learning music and you’ll have more colors at your disposal. It’s one of the weaknesses Americans tend to have, and if you want a European career it will help you immensely!
THE CAREER: 7:54
Here I talk about some of the realities of the real talk. The business is very cutthroat and it’s good for you to be sure this is what you really want before you start diving in. It’s important to build your foundation of strength to deal with the challenges. Everyone has a struggle of their own.
AFTER SCHOOL: 10:35
What to do when you’re preparing your next steps as a fully trained singer. Decide what’s best for your current desires and level of ability. Perhaps a big move? Probably a young artist program or maybe a professional chorus?
COMPETITIONS/AUDITIONS: 11:20
Preparing a good package that showcases you at your best. Auditions should make a statement of who you are as an artist. Competitions, because they are for money, should showcase you at your best and most unique. If you’re a common voice type, find what you can bring that is individual or exceptional. It is important also to be careful with what you wear, invest in tailoring that flatters you and presents you favorably.
FEEDBACK: 18:51
Figuring out which feedback is helpful and which feedback you can dismiss. If you are hearing something repeatedly, take heed. If you’re getting polarized advice, take what you feel is right and forget about the rest. Remember that these people giving you pointers aren’t interested in anything but being honest. Differentiate objective comments from subjective ones.
MANAGEMENT: 21:01
Managers know who you are if you’re already working in the performance circuit. In fact, you are not anonymous, you are absolutely being judged when you are a young artist, and in every single engagement you are a part of. The opera world is very small and managers have their feelers out from the time you are very young and starting out. Be on your best behavior always.
YOUR INTERNET PRESENCE: 25:58
It is incredibly important to manage your internet presence; nowadays we cannot deny its importance, and the more you can curate your output, the better. Keep your KZread videos current and your social media professional and positive.
CAREER CHALLENGES: 27:38
It’s important to keep a positive attitude at work, even if you aren’t having a good time; vent at home, or to a close friend or partner. But don’t put it on the internet, and leave it at the door when you get to work. Directors and conductors, as well as companies and colleagues, will sometimes prove to be challenging to deal with. You may be asked to change your interpretation to suit a director’s point of view, and your artistic choices to suit a conductor’s desires.
RESPONSIBILITY: 31:20
Try everything once, even if you think it’s not good at first; you might change your mind.
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU: 34:40
Every production is a collaborative effort. We are all in this together, so be open. If you are problematic in rehearsals, you may burn bridges and regret it later.
REJECTION: 35:12
Dealing with the answer “NO,” and finding out why, exactly. See if there are some changes you can make, and get to work on them. Make changes to your life if necessary, and they might have to be big. Start financial planning as early as possible and try to save money by working extra jobs so that you can have cash on hand to book yourself a flight to sing a competition or buy a new outfit for an audition. There are lots of different financial situations we all deal with, and you won’t necessarily be in the same boat as your more well-off colleagues.
Chapters:
00:00 Q&A Part 3 - The Business
01:06 Advice
05:28 Languages
07:54 The Career
10:35 After School
11:20 Competitions/Auditions
18:51 Feedback
21:01 Management
25:58 Your Internet Presence
27:38 Career Challenges
31:20 Responsibility
34:40 It’s Not All About You
35:12 Rejection
Пікірлер: 73
Thanks everyone for following along! For those of you who are following along, I tried to address as many topics as possible and give some personal anecdotes. A lot of the lessons in this video are ones I learned the hard way. Please let me know if I have missed your question, I will try to expound below.🧐
@NYC98
5 жыл бұрын
This was so informative and awesome!! Thank you so much!!
@jacekkubiak7460
5 жыл бұрын
Lisette Oropesa - Thx Lady L.O. - Poland Welcome - Krynica Zdrój festival Mr.Jan Kiepura - Mybe Y. Visit ?
I stumbled into this today, I am neither a singer not a musician, just an opera lover. As someone who worked for large multinational corporations and founded two international business before I recently retired, I wish I could have had you coach the executives in my organizations. Your wisdom and advice transcends the music world and makes so much sense in any business, and in everyone’s careers. Thank you for sharing.
@TheSeeking2know
8 ай бұрын
Yes! Wisdom from the crucible of Life experiences and personal victories!
I’m not even in the classical world, but I’m just enjoying the knowledge sharing and openness from you! So many lessons that are applicable to being degrees in different walks of life. Thank you.
@TheSeeking2know
8 ай бұрын
Different degrees (autocorrect).
Thank you so much for your honesty and wisdom 🙏 ❤
These advices are absolutely helpful! This solidified a lot for me! Thank you again Lisette!
Words of wisdom Lisette! Amazing how all those principles apply to the jazz world, or the show biz so to speak, as well! I wish I was told all this business insights when I was in college! Thanks for taking the time to do this: it means the world to many!
Thank you so much for this video! 💗
thank you Lisette once again.You're a very positive person!
The best singer, the best human being! thanks for sharing so much ❤️
Thank you for taking the time to share all your honest advice for young singers! I am not an opera singer, but I'm an opera fan and amateur singer. I wish I had a mentor like you when I was going through my own career, because you really seem to care about helping others reach their full potential. I wish you all the best, especially through these troubled times!
You are just amazing. Keep on running, singing and teaching what successful and rewarding life is all about. Thank you and I love you.
great stuff! Thank you, grazie mille!
This is the most interesting out of your series. Thank you for informing us who don't know about the opera business. 😊
Lisette, thank you so much! I want to hug you from my screen. Thank you for your precious words!
Thank you so much Lisette! I'm a young student and this words give me so much strenght and will to continue to always do my best! Thank you!!
This is outstanding advice for every young person, not only singers with big dreams. Thank you, Lisette!
Hola Lisette! Este video tiene un valor inmenso. Poder escuchar tu opinión y experiencia de una profesional como tú es un regalo. Gracias por dedicarle tu tiempo! Un saludo y mucha suerte!
Hi Lisette! I am a Musical Theatre actress dipping my toe in Opera and I wanted to thank you for your generosity in sharing your wisdom and knowledge! This series has been really helpful for me as I prepare for the Lotte Lenya Competition! Much love from Chicago! Xo
Thank you so.much Lisette :) I really did enjoy your Q&A videos, they are so real and your advice is so honest!!! Big hug from munich ❤
Thank you lisette soo much for your great advices
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
shartrez little I’m glad you found it helpful!
Thank you so much for all of your lovely advice and help! I myself am still trying to figure out what my next step is professionally and what I should do while feeling a little lost and confused as what to do, this is incredibly helpful!! Sending much love and gratitude!!!
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
I am so glad you got something useful from this video! Good luck and all the best as you follow your path in these next steps.
Really helpful video series!
Μade me cry in the end
I think you are a bright soul! Wonderful and modest person. I study listening your performance, and I recognize a lot of my character in the description of yours and in you're private lifestyle and choses too!!! Except i don't like cooking very much and i can't see or read horrors, too much for me... Congratulations for your career and the person who you are, you're a positive and big inspiration for me and i think for everyone ❤️
Un día estos vídeos serán un clásico. Y no por que su contenido sea bueno, malo o regular, sino por la altura artística alcanzada por su autora. Es lo mismo que Callas en la Juilliard. Yo estuve aquí el 18/05/2019.
Thank you very much Lisette! I've finished my studies at the conservatory this year . I'm practicing every day but i don't have opportunities here cause its a small town. I'll have to move on to Buenos Aires if i want to sing more often and get more opportunities...I'm a little bit affraid cause i'm already 26 so i have to hurry ... But You're encouraging me to work hard for my dreams. I appreciate everything you've said. Thanks!!
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Mailén B.A I am glad you are setting a positive goal for yourself! Good luck on the move!
Lisette, thank you for this video. I am not a professional singer (although I think I sound really good in the morning, singing in my car on the way to work), but I love music and I enjoy hearing what you have to say in your vlogs. You give fantastic advice...and actually, much of what you say is translatable to a lot of different industries. I work in insurance, and your advice is perfectly applicable to almost any job interview. Thank you for your kindness, wisdom, and always great music-making. -Jason
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Jason Last thank you so much for this comment! I’m so glad you found the advice helpful. Hugs!
@TheSeeking2know
8 ай бұрын
This is just life experience for a young person looking to be a professional in any industry.
Excellent video, great advice that can be applied in many different fields. A pleasure to watch throughout.
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks I am glad you enjoyed it and got something out of it!
I loved this whole video, but laughed out loud when you talked about the lyric baritones singing “Hai già vinta la causa.” That was the first aria I sang for opera workshop auditions in college, and though I used it for decades, I never felt it was easy to sing until I got to sing the entire role many years later.
Thank you so much for your insightful videos! It's hard to find content/advice relating to this profession, particularly from artists so experienced and positive. I would love to hear your commentary on the loneliness this business can entail. I'm currently a fest singer in Germany and often struggle with feeling isolated, homesick, and like I have no roots. The itinerant life can be so hard, and I would love to hear your thoughts on that. Thanks again!
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Hey Ellie! You're so kind to reach out. I definitely know that this business can make us feel singled out and lonely. I am lucky that my husband works as a web developer and travels with me everywhere, so I am not all by myself. If you're fortunate enough to find a partner like that, then you've won the lottery! But I also find that amongst colleagues there is a shared sense of this and it creates a camaraderie unlike any other! Big hugs and love and support. You'll find that your friends in the theatre world are all in the same boat.
@songbirdmariel
5 жыл бұрын
Lisette Oropesa Thanks so much for your reply-that is very true! We are all in the same boat and can take solace in that. And yes, finding a partner who can travel with you is like winning the lottery. 😊 Thanks again for being such a generous and invaluable presence in the classical singer community!
Listen to Lisette. She knows what she's talking about.
The most beautiful soprano nowadays😍😍😍
Thank you Lissete , but I’m having a problematic situation, its comes easy for me when im doing my voice exercises, but when i sing the aria i have problems like breath or not bringing my voice forward. I think its a transition for me , but im trying to focus more and not to give up
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
luiza kasa don’t give up! It definitely takes practice! Coraggio.
What advice do you have for people who want to be accompanists but don't have a music degree? I really want to be a part of a artists journey and support them (does not have to be a International opera singer but locally where i live). Are people without credentials take seriously and is my goal possible ? Love all the videos and singing you do. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day! Enjoy your Rodelinda rehearsals!
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Zacchaeus Liang credentials can be built by experience! Offer to play for voice lessons, audition, singer recitals, and offer to help singers learn their music by running through it with them. You can have a great career accompanying! Work on getting the standard repertoire at your disposal for auditions so that you can play for anyone without being surprised by an aria. And the better you get at listening and following, the more you’ll be appreciated!
Hi Lisette!!!Thank you for sharing all this knowledge with us.💓💓 I come from a small country, Greece. I recently got the monody diploma but I am 36 years old. Is age crucial for a solo career? also all competitions have an age limit. Are there any for my age? Finally, how can I participate in your masterclass? Thank you in advance
Thank you for taking the time to help others with your experience its absolutely helpful btw I have a little question its coloratura very helpful to get different repertoire especially for a baritone like me?
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Waluilli Team Tryhard I couldn’t give you specific advice without hearing you but coloratura is something every voice should be able to do to some extent; perhaps talk with your teacher about appropriate repertoire
@diobrandon8649
5 жыл бұрын
@@LisetteOropesaSoprano I'm gonna keep that on mind and ask my teacher about it, thank you for being so close with your audience that really awesome from you ^^
Hi Lisette! I absolutely loved your video and think that your advise is spot on. I am a soprano from Mexico and I am about to finish my bachelors in music. I wanted to know if you think studying a masters degree is the right way to go, I don’t necessarily feel ready to go out into the field ,but I don’t want to be late as opposed to others who did join young artists programs earlier. You didn’t really go in depth about a masters in your video so I don’t know if you don’t necessarily think it’s the best choice, but I’d love to know your thoughts on the matter. Also does the fact that I have a big voice factor into that decision? Does voice type matter in these kinds of things? Thank you so much! You really are an inspiration. ❤️
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Sofia Escamilla hi Sofia! Yes sometimes a master’s degree is the way to go, if you are young and need a few more years to develop before jumping in to a young artist program. If you can afford it or have a scholarship and it feels right then do it!
@sofiaescamilla1475
5 жыл бұрын
Lisette Oropesa Thank you so much for answering! Your response really helped! You’re just want young artist need in this world! ❤️
Question: Hi Lisette, I'm interested to know your thoughts on self-marketing for young singers who are transitioning from school to (hopefully) professional life. Do you think it's wise to post videos of yourself singing? There are a lot of instrumentalists gaining huge following, profile and work through posting mini videos of themselves, I'm interested to know whether or not you think this is wise - why/why not? This may warrant a video response of its own, but I'd love your advice on this! I think for the phase of - not yet an experienced pro, it's hard to find ways to give content, I think inspirational posts and teaching posts aren't fitting for this level of experience, so its quite difficult to identify a brand and fitting content for promotion. Many thanks, appreciate all your support for young singers x
@TheSeeking2know
8 ай бұрын
At the 26:00 point, she did mention (in this video) having KZread videos of performing, practicing and also on social media. So I guess she answered your question always.
What do you think is the best way to learn foreign languages as an American? A lot of my European friends say they learned foreign languages as kids, and because European countries are so much smaller, they can drive a couple of hours to another country and be immersed in the language. I'd like to know what you did to develop your proficiency with foreign languages! Thank you! I've really enjoyed your Q&As!
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Omar Rodriguez I’ll talk about this more in the personal questions video, but a book with exercises and a tutor is by far the best way!
@omarrodriguez362
5 жыл бұрын
@@LisetteOropesaSoprano Awesome! Thank you so much!
Dear Lisette, what is the name of the technique book that you recommend on the video?
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Christian Gil Borrelli I believe it’s called the Marchesi Singing Method; you can find also books of vocalises by Manuel Garcia
I've noticed some flags during the transitions in this video (as well as the others). Are those clues as to where you might be performing soon? 😊😊😊
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Juan G very keen eye! Not any particular meaning behind them, we just thought they looked pretty!
What percent of Opera majors in college actually manage to have solo careers? And the ones that do not have solo careers, I wonder about what happens for them. Should that possibility be part of the advice that Opera Majors receive? In addition to Opera soloist careers, should they be thinking about music education careers, choral singing careers, Arts Administration careers, and other things as possibilities? Is it good for someone to have their heart set on only being a soloist? Or would it be better to have a number of different possible professional Futures in mind for themselves?
@GLBinNP
4 жыл бұрын
I once read an interview with Kathleen Battle where she said that when she was young, she thought she would either work for IBM, be a singer, or be a music teacher. She was ready for any of those.
what lipstick are you wearing it is absolutely beautiful
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Katherine Kimbrough Nars Audacious lipstick in Rita 🥰
29:50, 31:42, 38:55
Qué bien, ahora en español xD
Pregunto: porque los americanos opinan y dan "clases" sobre Opera, y los italianos No. No tienen la capacidad para transmitir conocimientos como lo pueden hacer los americanos?
@LisetteOropesaSoprano
5 жыл бұрын
Yo estos videos los hice porque en mi social media recibo muchos mensajes de varia gente, y es difícil a veces, contestar sin explicar algunas cosas. Así que con el video es más fácil explicar...
@JuPiNi1
5 жыл бұрын
@@LisetteOropesaSoprano Muchas gracias, realmente soy un admirador suyo, y valoro muchísimo su arte, es indiscutido. Me llama la atención que hay mucha información en inglés (americano, etc)y no información sobre "opera" desde su cuna: Italia. Bueno, es solo un comentario. Cuando nos viene a ver a Tenerife. Un besote