Expert: Sean Martinfield - 10/29/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hey Mr. Martinfield! I have a pretty big problem that has been brewing over my head. I think you have answered one my questions before, anyway, I'm a freshman in high school and I just realized I really want to do Musical Theatre as a career. Only I think it's too late to take lessons because I want to double major with Musical Theatre and Biology in college. I have no singing experience, no acting experience, or dancing experience. I get Choir for only one trimester this year and I have really made it my goal to be in musicals and I really respect the art. What should I do? I'm too young to get a job and get lessons and I have too much classes that interfere me taking choir. Am I too late?

Sincerely,
David

ANSWER: Hi, David –

Thank you for another question. So, I didn't scare you after all!
Maybe I will this time.

First of all – unless you have a photographic mind and are some sort of top tier Mensa-type intellectual – there's no way you can double major in Biology and Theatre Arts and expect to come out head of the class. Your job as a freshman in high school is to earn at least a 4.2 grade average so you can qualify for as much scholarship money as possible to enter The Best university or conservatory that will come begging after you.

If you really have a respect for the art of musical theatre, then you also know – even if you graduate Magna cum laude from the best school in town – it will be followed by YEARS of you chasing after every little part in every little theatre company that may or may not offer you points toward obtaining your Equity union card. Certainly you won't be earning any money from these opportunities. Maybe car fare. But until you have earned that union card, you can't even stand in line to audition for a professional Broadway show. Has anyone ever told you that?

How will you support yourself while you're living with your parents? Have you been watching the news lately about the Occupy Wall Street movements across the country? How many Biology graduates do you think might be among those protesters who can't find work to pay off their student loans? And – those bills just keep coming in and the interest just keeps compounding every month and the colleges keep grinding out more graduates. In other words, my friend, you need to know way more about The Business of both Biology and Theatre before you take on any more anxiety than you already have.

I was around 18 when I took my first private voice lesson. I was already an Acting major in the Theatre Arts Department at San Francisco State University – which, at that time, had the reputation of being the best in northern California. The classes were demanding and there was always a high degree of pressure and competition to secure a role in whatever productions were going on per semester. That translates to hours and hours of evening and week-end rehearsals. There's no way I could have sustained the assignments of another major. Even so, I knew I needed more professionally-oriented training. So, I got a part-time job and paid for it. Six months later, I made my debut as a singer, got my first check for it, and have been singing professionally ever since.

If I can do it, you can do it. But you have to be willing to give up everything for it. Having a "Back-up Plan" by being a simultaneous Biology Major is fol de rol. The same would be true if you couldn't find work as a Biologist – accept worse. As I said, most theatre companies can't afford to pay their young performers and those who are willing to work for nothing – including those with tons of credits – are wrapped around the block in front of you.

While you're digesting this, I can promise you that a couple of choir classes every now and then is not enough for anything remotely related to becoming a professional singer. But, you can become the most informed musician you know by spending every hour of free time you've got studying Music Theory, the Broadway Repertoire, and learning the keyboard. You must know how to read music and to play at least your own melody line in whatever piece you have been assigned to sing or choose to learn on your own. That's what public libraries are for and it's all free. If your school offers a class in Piano 101, take it. Without that fundamental knowledge you will always remain behind.

Then there's that whole thing about being as good a dancer as you are a singer. How's that going to happen while you're holding onto a microscope? It's not unusual that many musical auditions start off in front of the choreographer. If you get cut there, that's it – you'll never sing for the music director, no matter how much money you spent on voice lessons.

Scary, yes?

Singers sing. If you believe you are a singer waiting to happen, then find the best community or faith-based choir in town and sign up. It's hard work, but it's free. Some of the best training I ever got came from excellent choral directors out in the community. And, yes, it cut into my social life. Especially on the week-ends, and every holiday or holy day of every variety.

Check out my recent interview with popular TV host, David Perry, on his show, "Ten Percent". It's on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKeeTYTYMAI

I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Below are links to my articles and youtubes on San Francisco's entertainment and cultural scene:

The Sentinel's own editor Sean Martinfield is interviewed by David Perry on Comcast. Catch the Action!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166025

KRISTIN CLAYTON– A Conversation with "The Diva" of Teatro ZinZanni
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166029

"XERXES" – At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165997

RICHARD SERRA DRAWING – At the SF Museum of Modern Art through January 16th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165984

CD Release: "Feels Like Home", The Celtic Tenors  ★★★★
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165722

DON GIOVANNI – It's smart and new at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165485

"HOUDINI: Art and Magic" – At the Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=164754

LEANNE BORGHESI – SF Bay Area Star on the Rise
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=163898

"REAL STEEL" – Reels of money-making crap starring Hugh Jackman
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=163408

LUCAS MEACHEM – Former Adler Fellow to sing "Don Giovanni" at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=162473

BERLIN & BEYOND – 16th Anniversary, Film Festival Opens at The Castro, October 20th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=163143

CAMERON CARPENTER – International Superstar Organist plays "Phantom of the Opera" at Davies Symphony Hall, Friday, October 30th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=162920

"THE MILL & THE CROSS" – Film director Lech Majewski brings 16th Century masterpiece to life
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=162158

"ONCE IN A LIFETIME" – A Charming Comedy at A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=161937

"LUCREZIA BORGIA" – A Hard Act To Swallow at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=160261

THE "DOUBLE PLATINUM" GOES TO:  The California Academy of Sciences!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=161440

EDDIE MULLER and "Fear Over Frisco" – An Interview with the Czar of Noir
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=161026

CD Release – Jacques Loussier Trio – "Schumann: Kinderszenen"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=160633

LEAH CROCETTO – An Interview with "Liu" in SF Opera's TURANDOT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=159189

SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Joins with the American Conservatory Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=158668

HENRY PHIPPS – A Conversation with Featured Boy Soprano in SF Opera's "Heart of a Soldier"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=158231

HBO Premieres "The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell" – Midnight, 9/20
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=158067

"HEART OF A SOLDIER" – A Rapturous World Premiere At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=157139

THE ART OF ANATOLIAN KILIM – Now at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=157659

“HEART OF A SOLDIER” – World Premiere, Tonight at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=156910

MEET MAESTRO NICOLA LUISOTTI – San Francisco Opera opens 2011/12 season with Puccini's "Turandot"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=156522

$3M DONATION TO SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Gift of Jan I. Shrem and Maria Manetti Farrow
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=156420

"The Glory of Love" – A Salute to Jacqueline Fontaine
http://youtu.be/KuxxqmpUY_M

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY – Opens Tonight and Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155872

STEVE MARTIN'S "The Underpants" – Gets an airing at Gough Street Playhouse
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155731

A “WORLD PREMIERE” – Mozart's Concerto for Horn and Orchestra
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155168

"MOZART'S SISTER" – Third string cinema
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155054

SF EARLY MUSIC SOCIETY – Season Opens with the Catacoustic Consort and Wildcat Viols
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=154139

SHN Presents – STOMP and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Musical
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=153764

"ONCE IN A LIFETIME" – 1930 Comedy Open's 2011-12 Season at A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=153488

SF ARTS COMMISSION – Debuts New Public Artwork at the Ortega Branch Library
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=153401

36th ANNUAL SF OPEN STUDIOS – Every weekend, October 1st—30th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152972

SELECTED HISTORIES: Discover Latin American Art at SFMOMA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152618

POLARIS: VOYAGE FOR ORCHESTRA – With the San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152632

"HEART OF A SOLDIER" – SFOpera Presents World Premiere September 10th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152421

THE MOURNERS: Tomb Sculptures from  the Court of Burgundy
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=151939

MEROLA OPERA’S GRAND FINALE – Meet Daniel Curran and Mark Diamond
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=150518

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Opens with Puccini's "Turandot", September 9th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=150084

HELP IS ON THE WAY XVII: Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=149792

Previewing two exhibitions coming to the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=149256

NEW ON CD – "Live from the Marlboro Music Festival"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=148987

THE STEINS COLLECT: Matisse, Picasso, and the Parisian Avant-Garde – SFMOMA  extends viewing hours on exhibition
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=148813

100th BIRTHDAY – San Francisco Symphony throws free concert bash in Civic Center Plaza, September 8th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=148503

KEVIN SPACEY IS "RICHARD III" – At the Curran, October 19th—29th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=148283

“CASABLANCA” – The SF Symphony accompanies screening tonight, 7/22
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=143500

“HE WHO GETS SLAPPED” – A conversation with composer and pianist Matti Bye
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141506

SEPTEMBER 11th – “Opera In The Park” – The City’s Civic Observance of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141653

ABEL GANCE’S “NAPOLEON” – San Francisco Silent Film Festival to present complete restoration by Kevin Brownlow in 2012
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141704

"BILLY ELLIOT" – A high flying hit at the Orpheum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=137904

HEIDI MELTON – An Interview with “Sieglinde” in San Francisco Opera’s DIE WALKÜRE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=136787

DUTCH AND FLEMISH MASTERWORKS – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=140498

MARY GIBBONEY – An Interview with the star of “ABSOLUTELY SAN FRANCISCO”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=138339

"DAS RHEINGOLD" – The slippery steps to Valhalla
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=134597

SONDHEIM’S “ASSASSINS” – Ray of Light Theatre is right-on target
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=132084

“TALES OF THE CITY” – Totally Sensational, Totally San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130807

TIIT HELIMETS – An Interview with “Prince Edvard” of SF Ballet’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=120731

NEW CENTURY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – Presents “Mastery of Schubert”, Featuring Soprano Melody Moore, 3/24–27
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=113791

ZHENG CAO – A Conversation with A Miracle Artist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=111219

MELODY MOORE – Soprano shines in SF Ballet’s “Nanna’s Lied”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=110816

MARNIE BRECKENRIDGE – An Interview with “La Princesse” of Philip Glass’ Orphée
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=109326

EDITORIAL – A confession about ballerina Lorena Feijóo
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=107690

GISELLE – And the Legend of the Wilis
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=105461

A Conversation with Elza van den Heever
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99268

CLUB FOOT ORCHESTRA – A Conversation with Richard Marriot
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94863

WEST SIDE STORY – Most of it, anyway
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93786

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO – An Interview with the Tenor turned Baritone for “Cyrano”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93275

Dr. ELISA STEPHENS – A Visit with the President of the Academy of Art University
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=90791

CUBAN BALLET – An Interview with Octavio Roca
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86049

A Look At "Giselle" with Ballerina Lorena Feijóo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-a6Oa-0j4

DOLORA ZAJICK – Internationally Acclaimed Mezzo To Receive Merola Distinguished Alumni Award
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85363

SABINA ALLEMANN – Former SF Ballet Ballerina Returns In A.C.T.'s "The Tosca Project"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76516

AMANDA McBROOM – A conversation on her recording of songs by Jacques Brel
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879

CAMERON CARPENTER – An interview with Grammy-nominated organist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311

HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGagen
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774

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

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

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

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

NATHAN GUNN – Sings Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56056

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

JANE MONHEIT – An Interview
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=48083

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 Cintas, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22107

THIS GUN FOR HIRE, 1942 – Looking at "Now you see it, now you don't" sung by Veronica Lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI26A6HdnWY

"My Silver Dollar Man" – from MARKED WOMAN (starring Bette Davis, 1937)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJMuY8aKFV8

"Would You Like A Souvenir?" – Sean Martinfield and Janet Roitz explore a song from Film Noir classic NORA PRENTISS (1947)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOiqTp0tjvg

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
SanFranciscoSentinel.com
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your answer Mr Martinfield!

I do know about Equity cards and you have tojoin them to be paid and how you have to earn them, maybe I will just major in Music because I am also a flautist, 1st chair, and I was accepted for the Senior grade Honor Band last year (8th grade) so I do know how to read music very well because I compose too, so i have taught myself basics on bass clef and alto clef. Also I am doing All State this year, so I really think my field should be in Music, not Biology anymore. I am working on having a 4.0 average, I actually have a 4.0 and that's all I can go up to in my district, just a 4.0, also most of my classes are advanced placement so I hope I can get a college. I live in a small area so private lessons are hard to find so choir is my only choice. Do you think I can major in flute and singing?

Answer
Hi, David –

Thank you for getting back to me.

Check out the recent interview I did with two members of the Merola Opera Training Program:
MEROLA OPERA’S GRAND FINALE – Meet Daniel Curran and Mark Diamond
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=150518

Daniel played French horn for nine years. It wound up paying for his education. A teacher suggested he apply for Chapman University in southern California. Along the way, he realized he wanted to sing opera. Long-story-short, he wound up at Juilliard and  last year auditioned in New York for the Merola Program which is associated with the San Francisco Opera. I saw him sing the role of "Almaviva" in THE BARBER OF SEVILLE. He has a beautiful voice, incredible breath control, a wonderful sense of humor, and is charming on-stage. We had a wonderful time during the interview and I hope to be covering his career in the years ahead.

The same could happen to you.

When I was still in college and working with my first coach, I was singing baritone and aiming for an operatic career. I was totally turned-on by the baritone repertoire that would suit my voice and all the stuff I have as a performer. That's what kept me motivated to practice, to coach, and eventually to audition for scholarships, roles in college and community productions, and eventually for the Metropolitan. I loved the music and still do. I can't imagine being "just a singer" – singing anything just to be singing. I wanted to sing a particular kind of repertoire – opera and related Classical songs – as a baritone.

Perhaps there are pieces for the flute that you dream of playing. As the editor of SanFranciscoSentinel.com I cover the San Francisco Symphony and have heard a number of concertos for flute that caused me to think, "I could have been a flutist!" I love the athleticism that is a part of singing, i.e., the breath control and the physical fitness training that goes along with maintaining that control and the health to do it. But, again, it's the need to perform certain repertoire – in public! – that kept me motivated. It still does. I'm always working on my favorite pieces even though I have no intention of performing them. But, it keeps me in the kind of vocal condition I need to be in to be an effective coach for my clients.

Keep practicing. Keep broadening your musical knowledge. For the past decade, and probably for many years to come, the music of Broadway has ceased to be a source of inspiration. The productions are dazzling, of course, but at the end of the day when you're home – the music is crap. For years now, I have seen every National Tour that has come to San Francisco (which keeps me very busy) and – remembering back to my first voice lesson – never-ever once thought, "I wish I were 18 again." But, for the new operas I attend at SF Opera? And to be 18 again and re-live the whole training-thing to be able sing them? Absolutely.

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65