What I learned from being an Opera Singer

Play the Long Game

You don’t audition just to land the role - you audition to be seen, to build relationships, and to stay on people’s radar. Job searching in other industries works the same way: interview broadly, meet everyone, plant seeds. Careers are marathons, not sprints.

Never Burn a Bridge

Opera is a verr small world, but don’t think your industry isn’t either. The world gets smaller the longer you become specialized in something. The assistant or intern who you didn’t vibe with 10-15 year down the road can become an important Director or Executive. And, any backdoor reference can be made - you never who knows who. 

Don’t Count it as a Win Until it’s in Writing. 

Whether it was a promised role or a promised offer or deal, people’s word can be as fickle as the Bay Area winds. Sometimes you turn around and have a PFO in the mail. Stay in the present, and celebrate only when you’ve signed on said document. 
*google it or DM me for that acronym

Grit > Talent

This is a lesson that was drilled into me, thanks to some sharp-tongued musical theatre directors in my teens. As I got older, I realized how important this lesson is.

I had what they call a “naturally pretty” voice (this is not me trying to flex). It’s not the singers that can roll out of bed and make a beautiful noise that experience longevity in their careers - well, that’s not the only skill. Hard (hard) work, tenacity, curiosity, resilience, more persistence, and refusing to slip into a victim mindset are the traits of those I’ve seen go far. 

The same remains for every other industry I’ve worked in. When I ask Hiring Managers what they are looking for, the most common response is, “grit” and “self-starter.” Don’t underestimate how much of a level-up skill this is. 

Surround yourself with people who care.

I used to hate the mentality of “only hang around level uppers”. I am a fiercely loyal person and friend. But I do know that your circle influences your growth. If you’re hanging around people who only want to vent, or default to ‘rot’ mode too much - it doesn’t push you or inspire you to grow. Whether you’re intrinsically or extrinsically motivated, being around those who are constantly striving/driving/reaching/loving/curious/kind absolutely rubs off. 

Take Care of Your Instrument

Singers can’t put their instruments in a case. Sleep, exercise, nutrition, and boundaries directly impact your performance and sound. As you get older, the same goes for your body + your brain - whatever you’re trying to achieve. You only get one body. 

Lock it Up

Don’t gossip. Backstage or in the office. Don’t say anything out loud, and absolutely don’t write anything down you wouldn’t want 100% public. Look at any reddit post about no-no’s in the workplace and the top is ALWAYS do not Gossip. Performing Artists are an emotional bunch, but what goes around comes around. That world is small, and either you have to sing opposite someone again (and their love interest) or a fellow intern is the one in charge of hiring 10+ years later. 

You Won’t Be Everyone’s Flavor

One of my opera mentors used to talk about some voices being “Strawberry Ice Cream.” When he grew up there was: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Only a small percentage would ever order strawberry ice cream, but those that did, ordered it 100% of the time. Some people will love your voice. And, 100% of everyone will have an opinion about it. Just show up and be you. The phrase ‘it’s better to be hated’ (rejected) ‘for exactly who you are, than liked’ (hired) ‘ for who you aren’t’ is pretty relevant here. 

A Great Manager Can Make or Break You. Seek Mentorship

A brilliant conductor or an ornery/abusive director can transform the whole experience. The same goes for voice teachers and coaches (students and young artists don’t have the luxury of firing these people). Create your trusted circle of mentors and people who you trust to lean on when you can’t change those who are in charge. Leadership matters, and surrounding yourself with trusted peers and mentors provides stability when leadership isn’t ideal.

Mastery Requires Repetition (and letting go of perfectionism) 

Practice makes Performance-Permanent-Perfect (choose your own analogy). It’s wild, but I didn’t really learn HOW to practice until I was in the middle of graduate school, away at a summer Young Artist program. That’s like… 3 voice teachers I’d had up until that point. I mean, I knew what to do in a practice room, but I had come to realize there is an art to practicing! The same is true for other skills and jobs. When you first start, you might be bad. But just start. 

Feedback Is a Gift 

Opera singers are constantly coached, corrected, and critiqued. Like, we PAY teachers/coaches/directors so much money to obtain feedback! Learning to filter feedback (take what helps, leave what harms) is a career superpower in any industry. I’m pretty sure this phrase is posted at some of the MAANG companies, but as a recruiter, this is one of the most common things I see show up in a hire or rejection, “can they take feedback?” Conversely, remember that clear is kind. In corporate, not everyone wants to hear uncomfortable truths. In the long run, they are kinder than comfortable lies. Remember, any feedback is a gift - know yourself and what to implement, oh and read The Four Agreements (it helps with this). 

Timing Matters

People say, “timing is everything.” Well in most cases, timing is the only thing. In opera, one perfectly timed opportunity can change your trajectory. Being available to step in last minute for someone who has had to call out has put entire operatic careers on the map, permanently.

Whether it’s job searching, auditioning, getting promoted, closing on your dream house, remember that it’s not always personal. Most of the time, it’s timing. 

No One is Coming to Save You

Opera is mostly a self-employed, private contracting career. If you don’t do it - no one will do it for you. That means everything you need to do to be seen and get paid. So many decisions for yourself: what to sing, who to study/coach with, keeping up with networking, finding housing while on a job, arranging your own transportation (sometimes both of those are in foreign countries), packing all your shit from gig to gig, taking care of your health so you have a voice so that you get paid, child care, dog care, website, branding, content creation (if that’s your thing), a side hustle bc opera can be a hobby career, and more. 

When you show up to any job after being responsible for everything the way a small business owner is - you exude hyper responsibility and will do whatever it takes to “keep the lights on. An aduliter adult is not coming to save you. 

Nerves Aren’t Always a Bad Thing

Stage fright and Audition Anxiety never fully disappears - you just learn how to move through it. I had to welcome these feelings sometimes like an old friend. And maybe I did a lot of trauma work too (go read “Feeding Your Demons” it’s a bit deep for this bullet point, but it helped my audition nerves so much). 

As a recruiter, I tell candidates to understand their nerves so they don’t get thrown… But also practice!! The reason I rarely ever had performance anxiety is because we rehearse, over and over. You don’t just show up and “do” a show. You wouldn’t just slap together a presentation, not even test your tech, and hope to get the job. 

One of my most recent teachers uses the phrase “confidence is the memory of success.” Rehearse your stuff, and when the nerves come, welcome them - and do it anyway.

Silence Is Powerful

Music is shaped by rests and pauses. One composer thought silence was so powerful, he famously wrote a 4 minute and 33 minute piece of literal silence. Conversations, interviews, negotiations - all benefit from intentional quiet. 

I worked in sales for like 2 minutes when I first transitioned into corporate via agency. One of the training managers used this phrase I continually say to myself, “[insert thing you’re going to say] AND THEN STOP TALKING.” As a talker who bonds through quality conversation, I’m learning the art of shutting the F up. Knowing when not to speak in business can be just as powerful as being the mouthiest one in the room.

Be mindful of how you show up

As a performer, you’re always “on.” While it’s 2025 and most people understand personal branding, opera taught me that professionalism and self-awareness matter everywhere (especially digitally).

The Show Must Go On

Costumes fail, voices crack, props break, people miss their entrances (sometimes by a lot), you forget a line, sing a wrong note. But the performance (or audition) continues because it’s LIVE! Theatre taught me early: adaptability and resilience are must-have skills. Don’t spiral the rest of the performance because your brain can’t stop thinking about the mistake you made or unexpected mishap.

In business, composure under pressure builds trust and credibility. Be prepared, and know how to pivot gracefully. Don’t forget to be a human. 

My perfectionism loves to get the best of me. My worst fear happened in an audition: I went up for a high note and nothing came out. I broke character, said “that’s not how that is supposed to go.” Reset, and hit the note. And I got a callback. A tenor bumped into a set piece during a performance that landed on my hand (broke a finger) and almost pulled my wig off.

Shit happens. Keep going.