AboutPamela Thomas Expertise Questions on Opera performance, repertoire, vocal technique, acting for opera. I have some 20 years experience in opera in both leading roles and chorus. I have sung with New York City Opera since 1981. I have studied voice in NYC for over 20 years and have also taught technique and coached singers in acting.
Question Hello, I know you have been asked this question a million times but I am already a late starter in this field. I dont really have the money and the time to go back to school for a music degree, but is it really necessary in order to launch an opera training that will lead to a professional career?
I looked up wikipedia info sites for most professional singers and it looks like they have some kind of a formal degree in music from a musical institution.
Are there rare cases where professional singers have truly succeeded without them?
To enable you to answer my question easier, I am living in London, UK, just started taking voice lessons and am 27 years old, although I have played the piano since I was 10.
Answer Hi Terry,
I wouldn't say that getting a music degree is really necessary to having an opera career but it certainly is a huge advantage, I think. You can certainly study privately and you can take acting classes and study languages privately - and you can coach and learn roles as well. It's just that studying within a degree program usually gives you a wonderful exposure to learning music - as a whole. You work with good people, learn theory, history, etc. along with technique, acting, movement, languages, etc.
Since you have played the piano since you were 10 you clearly understand music - so you are ahead of the game. I would say your should continue your private study and see where that takes you. Often the best music schools do offer extension courses - if there is something you want to study.
So - keep working - and see where you come out in the next few years... since you seem to love music and opera there's no harm, no foul for "going for it", right? Worst case is you have a great time learning something you love - and best case - you begin a career!
