Are you what you do?

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And so we reach the end of Season 1! Enjoy the rest of the Finale, some more musings from former guests on the question of work/life balance (among other things).

If you want to be among the first to receive episodes of Season 2 as they’re recorded (rather than wait until I’ve amassed a set of 6), then support the show on Patreon! Otherwise, I’ll see you when I unleash the new episodes on the world at large ;)

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It’s been a phenomenal 5 months of conversations, and to round off this chapter of the podcast I decided to follow up with a few of my past guests. This resulted in a mammoth episode that I’ve decided to split into 2 parts. It was a chance to explore the central question of the show, as well as talk about one of the most difficult aspects of freelancing in the Arts - how to resolve clashes between your personal diary and new work opportunities.

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How is singing like professional wrestling? Christopher Dollins talks us through the parallels between sportspeople and musicians, why a portfolio career isn’t necessarily a good way to go, and the importance of regularly asking yourself difficult questions.

Chris’ stuff: https://www.br-chor.de/

This week I catch up with Jennifer Clark - singer, writer, editor, teacher, project manager. Jen has embodied the portfolio-career lifestyle for years, while pursuing her dream of becoming a full-time, full-income, freelance opera singer. She was told to hide the fact that she had more than one string to her bow, though, a strange bit of advice that we try to pick apart in this episode.

Jen’s stuff: www.jenniferclarksoprano.com / Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-clark-41224b52/

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When the pandemic takes away what you do, how do you cope? Is there a silver lining? Is it a chance to become more than what you do? OK, that last one is a bit unfair to my guest, Joshua Owen Mills, who has always strived for balance in his life. Nonetheless, the pandemic stopped his singing career in its tracks, so we talk about how he’s found other ways of earning money, and a hobby that gives him both a sense of purpose and of community.

Joshua’s stuff:

The Art of Money Saving: Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSevvDFfVP3vzQRs6HSpb2w / Podcast - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1010941 (Spotify, Google and Itunes + more) / Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theartofmoneysaving / Twitter - https://twitter.com/theartofmoneys1 / Website- https://www.theartofmoneysaving.com/social-media/ ;

Joshua Owen Mills Tenor: http://joshuaowenmills.com/ / Professional Facebook Page -https://www.facebook.com/joshuaowenmills/?ref=bookmarks / Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joshuaowenmills04/ / Twitter - https://twitter.com/JoshuaMills04

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Helen Anne Gregory has been many things - administrator for Siemens, singer, recruiter, software tester, scrum master, photographer, maker of things on Etsy, life coach, mental health blogger, writer… Find out which of those labels still apply and why she hates the core question of my podcast ;)

Helen’s stuff:

Instagram & Twitter: @helengregory / Linktree: https://linktr.ee/helengregory / Mezzo Soprano: http://www.helenannegregory.com/ / Coaching: http://www.helengregorycoaching.com/ / Blog: https://helengregoryblog.wordpress.com/

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Singer, director, librettist, producer, artistic director of Charles Court Opera… John Savournin is a busy man. We talk about how he balances all the above, his love for G&S, how to deal with having to say no to an opportunity, and more.

John’s stuff:

Website: johnsavournin.com / Charles Court Opera: charlescourtopera.com / Twitter: @jsavournin / Instagram: @john_savournin

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Soprano, singing teacher, workshop leader, and animateur, anyone who’s worked with her knows that Abigail Kelly is a force to be reckoned with. Her work ethic may put others to shame, but it’s her infectious laugh and spirit that lights up any rehearsal room she’s in. We talk about her career path, how one finds ones identity and niche in the creative field, the future of opera, and the industry’s problems with racism.

Abigail’s stuff: abigailkellysoprano.com / Twitter: @AbigailKellySop

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From singer to producer and commissioner of new opera, Hamish Mackay talks about the founding of The Opera Story, the future of the art form, creating new works in lockdown, and more.

Hamish’s stuff: The Opera Story: https://theoperastory.com / Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd2J7rM24NLuPDetSqgf6s2XocR7w0vTF / Pandora’s Box: https://youtu.be/wv0UjcEV37k / ENO: https://eno.org

Laura Attridge wanted to be an opera singer since she was a small child. She got quite a long way on the path to making that dream a reality, but then she changed tack. She still works in opera, but as a writer and director. We talk about why she left singing behind, her relationship with what used to be her dream, the future of opera, and also the moment she introduced herself to people as something that felt authentic and true to herself.

Laura’s stuff: www.lauraattridge.com / Twitter: @Laura_Attridge / www.murphyattridge.com / British Youth Opera: https://www.byo.org.uk/ / English Touring Opera: http://englishtouringopera.org.uk/ / The Writing Squad: http://www.writingsquad.com/ / ’Staying Home’ project: http://www.writingsquad.com/staying-home/ / Laura’s poems: BIRD (http://stayinghome.squadsite.uk/portfolio/bird/), YOGA (http://stayinghome.squadsite.uk/portfolio/yoga/) and PHOTO BOOTH (http://stayinghome.squadsite.uk/portfolio/photo-booth/)