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Acting in Plays, Singing/How do I get started?
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Question
Hello,
I am a 17 year old girl, and I would love to pursue a professional singing/acting career. Of course, Broadway is my ultimate dream, and I'm wondering if this is an attainable goal for me. The problem is, I live in a teeny tiny town, and there is basically no place where I can gain any experience as an actor/singer. I have a very good ear, lots of experience with musical instruments, and a pretty good voice, but next to no vocal training. I'm wondering if you can give me any tips or pointers on how to get started, if singing professionally is a reasonable goal.
Also, is there any way you can help me determine what singing part I am? On the piano, I can hit from C3 to B5 (although I'm practically screeching at the top). I had a voice teacher for a couple of months, and she said I was definitely a soprano, but I feel so much more comfortable singing in my lower range, so I'm asking you for a second opinion.
Thank you so much!
Rebecca
Hello, Rebecca –
)
Thank you for the question.
The first thing to consider is your college education. If you want to be in the performing arts, then you must be educated in the performing arts. Before you sign on, the college or university you attend must offer a respectable drama and music curriculum that has proven successful for others. This must be your first priority if you hope to compete in a field where there are absolutely no guarantees.
Beyond that, you must learn about The Business of Broadway. How do shows get produced? Where does the money come from? What is that really happens to shows, i.e., the national tour of BILLY ELLIOT which recently played here in San Francisco, that are suddenly yanked out of town a month before the scheduled closing date? And after you graduate from college – assuming you are living in an area with a number of successful (paying) regional theaters – how long will you be willing to work for nothing while trying to build-up your Equity points in order to even stand in line to audition for a professional and Equity audition?
If you want to be in musical theatre – no matter your vocal category, degree of musicianship and dramatic ability – you must be equally trained and passionate about your dancing skills. It is not unusual that the first person you must audition for is the Choreographer. If you don't have the skills, you won't be passed on to the musical director.
In order for me to classify your vocal range, I must hear you. Your "comfort range" must be informed by both your lower and upper range. All my sopranos sing to High D, some go higher. All my mezzo-sopranos sing to High A, some go higher. Once your category is properly determined, then the training begins.
If you can create something for me to listen to and observe on-line, I will be happy to offer you some feedback.
Work smart. You won't always be isolated in New Mexico.
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:
MEET MAESTRO NICOLA LUISOTTI – San Francisco Opera opens tonight 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
GRANTS FOR THE ARTS – 50th Anniversary, A Free Celebration At City Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152210
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
BALI: Art, Ritual, Performance – At the Asian Art Museum until September 11th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=146641
FOLGER COFFEE BUILDING – Becomes Downtown Hub for University of San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=146444
San Francisco Opera and Musicians Union – Ratify new 3-year contract
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=146144
DIANA ROSS – One Night Only! – At the Golden Gate Theatre, 9/16
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=145620
“THE BARBER OF SEVILLE” – Presented by the Merola Opera Program, 8/4-7
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=144571
“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
SFMOMA – Spotlights Ceramics In Recent Art Practice – Now though 10/30
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=142745
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
THE CASTRO AMBASSADORS – Got questions? Have answers!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=138785
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
BRENDEN GUY — British Clarinetist In Concert, June 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130065
BLUE MAN GROUP — Best show in town!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=129943
SFMOMA — The Steins Collect: Matisse, Picasso, and the Parisian Avant-Garde
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=128921
SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Opens July 14th with re-discovered film by John Ford
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=127988
TIIT HELIMETS – An Interview with “Prince Edvard” of SF Ballet’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=120731
NEW PUBLICATIONS: PUBLIC TRUST BETRAYED. An Interview with author and real estate appraiser, James E. Manning
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=117374
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
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Opens September 9th with with Iréne Theorin as “Turandot”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104443
A Conversation with Elza van den Heever
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99268
HEART OF A SOLDIER – SF Opera Commissions New Work
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=98518
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
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Answers by Expert:
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
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