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 QUESTION: Hi Pamela! I am a classically trained high soprano. But I also have a love for musical theater. All of my teachers have been pushing me towards opera and they think I should make a choice to do one or the other. I just recently graduated with my BA and voice performance certificate from Florida State, And I have no idea what to do next. I auditioned for a few grad programs and did not get accepted. I landed a small contract for a role with my local opera company, And found a good teacher to study with. Should I keep trying and settle for a smaller grad school? Or just keep auditioning for musical theater and opera? And is doing both going to be harmful to my voice and/or my career? Also, is it true that there is now a stronger market for musical theater than there is for opera? I am already 24 yrs old so I feel I need to decide soon. I would appreciate any advise you have for me! Thanks!
ANSWER: Hi Chelsa,
It's hard for me to really know without hearing you. But, clearly, you must have an operatic voice or you wouldn't have your teachers pushing you that way - and FSU is a darn good school. Now, having said that, as a high soprano the competition in opera (well, also in musical theatre) will be very high.
I think the best thing is that you have found a good teacher to study with... that's important. I'm not sure what grad schools you applied to - but there are so many good schools - did you look at NYC (Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes) and the other good schools. Check out www.classicalsinger.com (for a fee you can join - they have wonderful info on school program, auditions, professional companies, etc.
Now, having said all of that - if you heart is really in musical theatre - perhaps you should go for that. As long as you have a solid vocal technique, I can't see working in musical theatre hurting you... My friends and I all started in musical theatre and we all ended up in opera.
You don't say where you are now - but if you are in NYC - keep auditioning. It's true that having a career in opera if tough (but it's also tough in musical theatre). But your chances are probably higher in musical theatre simply because there is more going on and mostly they are "for profit" vs. opera which must be highly subsidized.
Since you like your teacher, and if you continue to learn and improve, I don't see why you can't continue studying and auditioning. But ultimately you will have to decide where your heart lies - in opera or musical theatre. You must do something you love!
Good luck,
Pamela
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QUESTION: Thanks so much Pamela! I'm actually living at home with my parents in South Florida and performing with the Treasure Coast Opera Society (Oklahoma-chorus & Carmen-Frasquita) in Ft Pierce. I think I have operatic potential but I still need alot of training for an operatic career. I could probably audition for theater companies such as Disney World or Regional theaters and get a job right away. But I am afraid that would delay my chances of going to grad school. I applied to 8 grad programs all the major Northern conservatories including Manhattan. Out of those eight I was invited to audition at only 2 schools- Northwestern U and Peabody. My grades may have been a factor but I know I still need a lot more training in order to get to that level for those schools. I would have a better chance at some smaller schools that also had vocal Ped programs which I am also interested in. So I guess my main question is: Is it ever too late to go to grad school for voice (Im 24)? Especially if I do musical theater professionaly for a while? Thanks so much for all of your help!!!!
Answer Hi Chelsa,
Small world! I grew up in Ft. Pierce! Treasure Coast opera wasn't there when I was growing up but I've seen a few productions when I was visiting.
It's not too late at 24 - but I would try to go to good graduate school. Why don't you look at Benjamin T. Rome Music School at Catholic University. Dean Sidlin is a friend and Sharon Christman is a wonderful teacher. If you need more training you need to search that out. I'm not sure you will find it in Ft. Pierce... But Florida State also is an excellent school - why don't you check FSU out as well.
You might look into getting a subscription to Classical Singer (www.classical singer.com). It's a great magazine and website. They have audition listings all across the country and they are coming out with information on the music programs in the music schools across the country. Check them out... you may find a school you like....
Keep performing in any case - keep doing what you love to do!
