You are here:

Acting in Plays, Singing/Becoming a professional opera singer?

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/18/2010


Question
So the other day I was watching The Passion of Bel Canto satrring one of my all time favriote sapranos June Anderson. I found it very fascinating but one thing that I have no clue about is how one would even start a opera/classial singing career. Is it anything like trying to make your mark in musical theatre with headshots, resumes, agents, unions, auditions, trade papers, and of course countless hours of practice and training? I know that there are college and conservatories relating to opera and (in my opinoin) would probably be the best step towards a career but is it a necessity? So basically where would a aspiring opera/classical singer go after they have crammed their fach's repertoire, perfected their diction, and maybe graduated from a good college or conservatory to start a legitimate and professional career?

Answer
Hello, Christopher –

Great question. Thank you.

There are no guarantees in the world of the performing arts, with or without a degree.

Today’s aspiring opera singer needs the best academic credentials possible. Because? That’s what your competition will have. And they’ll be coming in from all over the world to compete against you.

For example, here in San Francisco we have the very prestigious Merola Opera Training Program and the more advanced Adler Fellows. The programs are directly associated with San Francisco Opera and are in session right now. Some of the artists have already been presented in formal Debut Recitals. The singers will appear in various supporting roles during the Summer Season which lasts from June 5th to July 2nd. The operas will include FAUST, THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST, and DIE WALKÜRE. Some of the singers are invited to repeat their same program next season or – if they are currently in the Merola Program – to advance to the Adler Fellows. By the time the singers have completed the program – they have secured professional representation. Two years ago, for lots of reasons, one of those singers suddenly had less than a week’s notice to get herself ready to sing “Donna Anna” for the Fall Season’s Opening Night performance of Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI. It’s only the most important social event on The City’s cultural calendar. She was unbelievably spectacular. Check out my review:
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=2608

The point is – given your experience – you need to research available programs such as these with opera companies here in this country and everywhere else. Investigate major vocal competitions and grants, i.e, from the Richard Tucker Foundation, etc.

Don’t waste time. Make a plan. While you are securing all this information, sing wherever you can. Maintain your daily practice routine, keep building your repertoire, and get yourself into centerfold condition.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List. This week’s connection is: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1646265517.html
You may also contact me through my website: http://www.thebeltersmethod.com/The_Belters_Method/Welcome.html
I am the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews about the Performing Arts provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Take a look at my You Tubes:

Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
”As Time Goes By” – aboard Cunard’s Queen Victoria
”Embraceable You” – Gershwin and Rodin at the Legion of Honor
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield

Below are links to my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
THE LITTLE MERMAID – “This Girl’s Got Everything!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65498

SWITCHBOARD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 – Sunday, March 28th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65310

THE LITTLE MERMAID – US Premiere at SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65167

CAMERON CARPENTER – At Davies Symphony Hall, May 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64126

THE SUGAR WITCH – A Winner At New Conservatory Theatre Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64269

JOHN BISCEGLIE’S “FOREVER BROADWAY” – Encore Performance, 3/21
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64034

USS POTOMAC – A Pleasure Cruise on a Presidential Yacht
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63852

PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63625

DAWN UPSHAW and EMANUEL AX – At Davies Symphony Hall, 3/20
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63220

ALICE IN WONDERLAND – A Lot of Tempest in a Pot of Tea
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=62921

PROGRAM 4 – Tonight at San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=62796

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS – Awarded the National Medal of Arts
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=62060

CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE – A.C.T.’s Very Best
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=61963

MIRRORS IN EVERY CORNER – A World Premier at Intersection For The Arts
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=62377

ROMAN POLANSKI – “The Ghost Writer”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=61731

CARLOS SANTANA – Winner of 2010 Mayor’s Art Award
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=61515

ZAHI HAWASS – Comes to San Francisco March 8th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=61026

SHANGHAI – Now At the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=60643

PIANIST MISHA DICHTER – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59695

JOSHUA ROMAN – Hot young cellist debuts this week at SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=60102

PROGRAM 3 – San Francisco Ballet Presents Three Balanchine Masterworks
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59912

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Some Fancy Fiddling By Harvey Fierstein
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59193

ZUILL BAILEY – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=58241

CREATION – A Challenging Film Biography on Charles Darwin
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=57307

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Announces Repertory and Casting for 2010/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=57087

DAVID PERRY – On the “Dos and Don’ts of Social Media”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56487

NATHAN GUNN – A Hit At The Herbst
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56056

CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM – Our Struggle: Responding to Mein Kampf
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=55889

100th ANNIVERSARY – A Landmark Celebration for the American Conservatory Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=55040

CRITIC’S CHOICE: CD – MICHAEL MANIACI: Mozart Arias For Male Soprano
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=54523

ROBERT DOWNEY Jr. – Not Holmes For Christmas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=53947

CARTIER AND AMERICA – Exclusive Exhibit at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=53619

THE 39 STEPS – Hitchcock To Stage Is Too Fabulous
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=52598

CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – A Conversation with Yaelisa
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51761

A CONVERSATION WITH LUCIE ARNAZ – This Week At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51605

ON THE ORGAN – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=49615

JANE MONHEIT – This Sunday At The Empire Ballroom
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=48083

JOHAN BOTHA – South African Tenor Makes SF Opera Debut As “Otello”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=47706

DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT – A Hit for San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=46210

FLEETWEEK – Weekend Bash at Pier 39
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=45837

FLEET WEEK – A Conversation with Airshow Pilot Tim Weber
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=45460

SF OPERA’S “Abduction From The Seraglio” – The Trills and Frills of Captivity
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43985

IL TRITTICO – Patricia Racette Debuts In Puccini’s Trio of One-Act Operas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43109

IL TROVATORE – Opening Night A Stunning Success For San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=42392

CD – ZUILL BAILEY and SIMONE DINNERSTEIN, Beethoven’sComplete Works for Piano and Cello
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39415

NORMA SHEARER – Hollywood Dreams Made Real
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38082

THE EGYPTIAN (1954) – A Swords & Sandals Cultural Encounter at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37554

SALLY KELLERMAN – Hot Lips for Hot Hits at The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=33009

TUTANKHAMUN – And The Golden Age Of Pharaohs
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32878

DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32007

CAMERON CARPENTER – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=24462

AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27122

A Conversation with Ruben Martin, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22107

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

Acting in Plays, Singing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Sean Martinfield

Expertise

I am a professional vocal coach in San Francisco. In addition to answers from a previous web site (Askme.com - where my "tag" was "VocalCoach") I have published over 2000 responses related to vocal training - particularly as it relates to Musical Theatre and Opera. I have 24 years of experience as Personal Trainer to singers and actors in the San Francisco Bay Area. I sang professionally for 20 years and know what it means to live the life of a musician. I can determine your voice category, i.e., Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Alto Belter, etc., and how to broaden and strengthen your range. Need an audition song for a Broadway Musical? I will give you suggestions that are appropriate to your vocal category and to requirements specified in the audition notice. I have also created a vocal methodology, "The Belter`s Method". It will enable those in Musical Theatre to practice more efficiently because it focuses on the demands of professional performers as well as to those auditioning for school and community productions, and as University and Conservatory performing arts majors. If what you want is a better voice and more control over your career moves and choices, contact me. Also, as the Editor of SanFranciscoSentinel.com, it is my privilege to review productions at the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony, as well as Broadway National Tours booked into San Francisco's Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran Theatres. I also review works by A.C.T (the American Conservatory Theatre) and Magic Theatre. I cover select films, tributes and retrospects, and various international film festivals – particulary those booked into The City's opulent Castro Theatre – including the LGBT Frameline Festival, International Film Festival, Silent Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival, etc. For private vocal instruction, I can be contacted through SanFranciscoSentinel.com. Look under: Seán Martinfield, Sentinel Editor and Publisher.

Experience

As a vocal coach, I work primarily with singers and actors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. My students range from absolute beginners to working professionals, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. The vast majority of my clients come to me through recommendation. I know how to identify any singer's vocal category, i.e., soprano, tenor, alto, baritone, etc. I know how to muscle-up every singer's vocal range and to expand it beyond conventional definitions. I have developed a vocal methodology for those who want to know how to belt, THE BELTER'S METHOD. As a singer who spent half of his career doing Bel Canto, I know that classical or Italian methodologies do not work in Standard American music. Bel Canto cannot be "adapted" to meet the needs of contemporary American music, including the demands of the Musical Theatre. There are a number of major components to my work as a vocal coach. The first is to identify the client's vocal category and to strengthen and maximize the vocal range accordingly. Then it's about teaching a reliable vocal workout that will enable the client to gain better control of their musicianship. That includes scale work to expand the vocal range and to improve placement, breath control, and diction. Then we work on material for the audition portfolio, the immediate job or assignment, a recording session, etc. My task to is to better equip singers and actors who are hoping to or relying upon their performance skills and vocal endurance to maintain a career in the Performing Arts. My clients regularly appear in cabarets and musical productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have worked in New York and gone on National Tours. For more information, Contact me at: Broadwaybelters@yahoo.com

Education/Credentials
San Francisco State University – BA in Theatre Arts; graduate work in Theatre, Philosophy, and Comparative Reiligion. Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley – Graduate work in Ethics

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.