Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 4/17/2009

Question
I am 10 going on 11 and am great at singing but I live in an area where there aren't any competitions for singing. I want to compete but I need help there are online competitions and youtube. Sould I just do that?

Answer
Hi there, Naomi.  And thanks for writing.  

What are the ways that you researched your area to find out about competitions?  Did you ask voice teachers?  Did you ask band teachers?  Did you ask other people who sing?  

The reason I ask these questions is sometimes we think we know that there is no opportunity when there is.  Be sure to ask everyone you can think of about the opportunities before saying that there are none.  

It is not unusual to find that smaller communities have little to no opportunity.  So you may be right.  But what about the next largest town closest to you?  What about the city closest to you?  Have you looked in the phone book for voice teachers and phoned them about competitions?

Another great way to find competitions is to become a voice student.  Take singing lessons.  There will always be competitions there.  Or join a choir.  

You could also submit something to online competitions or to YouTube.  For sure.  

But I highly recommend finding a competition that is local and that is with other people.  The more you can perform and get experience on stage with audience, the better.  

Does that help you?

Wanda