Opera Offstage

In the wake of the closing of many parts of our industry and the ongoing revelations about the people and institutions involved in it, many musicians are questioning the viability and rationality of continuing a career in music.

Music is a career where work and identity are deeply intertwined, which can make these questions really difficult to deal with and very isolating.

So today, we're talking about leaving music and everything that does and doesn't mean. We'll walk through some important questions to ask yourself to help you find some clarity about what a future inside or outside performance can look like. Being a musician is hard, but considering the alternatives can be just as difficult, so if you need some guidance or just a friendly ear, we're here to help.

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Jessie

Michelle

To celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month, we've put together an episoded filled with all the joys, nightmares, and bizarre parts of being a woman in classical music.

We love being women in classical music, but that doesn't mean it's always easy. In this episode we celebrate the amazing women we've gotten to talk to this year, discuss the misconceptions we've faced, reveal the things we wished we'd known when we started, and read some of the great advice you all sent in. And stick around at the end of the episode to hear us realize that today is the one year anniversary of the podcast!

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Michelle

A lot of people's first experience performing new music is... less than ideal.

And it can be even harder to figure out how to make those experiences better without bruising either the performer or the composer's ego, which is why we've brought a special guest on to help us make new music a better experience for everyone.

In today's episode we break down why schools aren't always the best place to have your first experience with new music, how consent can and  should play a real role in the creation of new works, and how to be a better collaborator when working on premieres. Composer, singer, new music aficionado, and friend of the pod Jens Ibsen also comes on to share his experiences and some great advice for singers who want to perform new works. We also get into Oberlin Conservatory's disastrous concert poster and Wiener Philharmoniker's letter to the Met!

Read the article:

Composers, Performers, and Consent

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Michelle

Today we’re joined by fellow musicians and podcasters Katie and Dalanie from Classically Black Podcast!

Classically Black Podcast centers Black voices and challenges ideas of what the field of classical music looks like while including humor and references to popular culture that is sure to entertain.

In the episode we chat with Dalanie and Katie about the inspiration behind starting their podcast and their journey as musicians. To celebrate Black Excellence, we each highlight an outstanding artist in the classical music field, and learn more about how Dalanie and Katie are providing community, advancement, and resources to Black musicians through their organization ISBM. 

Classically Black Podcast

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Michelle

Getting married and starting a family can be really tricky topics to navigate when you're a young musician, which is why we brought on two experts to help us better understand the joys and compromises of being a musical family.

With 30 years of experience as professional musicians, spouses, and parents to five kids, We couldn't think of any better couple to bring on than Nathan and Julie Gunn. They shared their invaluable wisdom about the industry, where it's heading, and how they navigated it as a family. 

Whether you're single, in a relationship, or already have a ring on your finger, there's something to learn in this episode for everyone, and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we did chatting!

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Michelle

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Opera Offstage!

Today's episode is all about dating as a musician, and boy did you guys give us your opinions about it on Instagram.  We learned which musicians are easiest to date, whether or not musicians make good partners, and what musician pairing is doomed to fail, and the results really surprised us!

Then Michelle gives us the Do's and Dont's of making an online dating profile as she takes us through her very short and very strange time on Hinge. Finally we talk about which opera character couples have true love and which ones are just playing games.

So join us as we laugh our way through the wild world of dating as a musician!

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Michelle

Today's episode was inspired by listener and today's guest Sophie Horrocks!

Opera Outreach programs are an incredible resource for communities and young artists, but very few young musicians know what they are or how to find them.

Today we break down what these programs are, how beneficial they can be for musicians and their communities, and how to find an apply for positions in them. Then Sophie tells us about her extensive experience with Opera Outreach, including programs like the English National Opera and the Royal Opera House. She tells how Opera Outreach has changed her as a musician and what to look for in these incredible programs. 

Meet our Partner:  Yoga for All Musicians- Use code OPERA for 15% of any class!

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Meet our Guest: Sophie Horrocks

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Michelle

Creating an artistic resume is one of those things that seems super simple until you actually have to sit down and do it.

How long should it be?

What should I include?

What if I have years with no performances?

Today, we break down all the little details of making a beautiful,  interesting resume that you can bring to auditions with confidence. We cover the differences between a school resume and a professional work resume, how to avoid some easy design pitfalls, and how to fill out your resume even when you're just getting started professionally. Not everyone is a designer, but anyone and everyone can make a stylish professional resume, and we're here to help!

Meet our Partner Practizma Journal!

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Michelle

Ableism is everywhere and even the opera world cannot escape its history with it.

In a year filled with so many difficult discussions about inclusion, ableism was largely overlooked, despite it’s huge impact on musicians, especially young musicians.

Today we’re talking about exclusionary practices that hurt people with visible and invisible disabilities, the problematic disability tropes in opera storylines, and why innovations have to be made with and not for disabled musicians. 

We’ll also highlight some incredible musicians who have and continue to advocate for a more inclusive and accessible industry.

Resources:

Appropriate Terms to Use

Jenny Wilson-Best Interview

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Dry Mouth. Heart Pounding. Thoughts racing. Pacing backstage.

Every musician has experienced performance anxiety, but most of us have never been taught how to actually deal with it or that a little bit of performance anxiety can actually be a good thing!

Today, we break down what performance anxiety is, why we have it, how to lessen it, and how to use it to your advantage. Two heads are better than one, so we're also sharing the amazing performance anxiety advice sent in from our audience! Plus, we find out Michelle might have a fruit allergy?!

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Michelle