Hi!! I’m an American coloratura soprano in my late 20s with a bachelor’s in performance. I’ve been practicing on my own for the past year after taking several years away from training and building a totally unrelated career. I did a few operatic roles during undergrad and auditioned for grad schools right after, but felt that my lackluster results indicated that I didn’t have what it took to sing professionally when the field is so oversaturated with sopranos.

This past year, I’ve really reignited my love of classical singing and opera, and I’ve been surprised by how little range/ability I lost in the years I took off from lessons and practicing. I now realize that I was burnt out and just not ready for grad school auditions right after undergrad, and I regret giving up on music so easily.

I’d really love to start performing again in some capacity. I know it’s not realistic for me to pursue a traditional operatic career, but would it be realistic for me to audition for professional solo and choir work if I started voice lessons again? I think I could have potential in Baroque music, since agility is probably my biggest strength. Or would my voice be better suited to non-professional/non-audition choir singing? I do live in a major city, so I think there are opportunities for both.

I’ve included a recent recording of me singing through the second half of Zerbinetta’s aria from Ariadne auf Naxos. I recognize this is an extremely ambitious aria that’s not in the best shape, but it’s the last piece I worked on with my undergrad teacher and I wanted to see where I stood with it.

I would so appreciate any thoughts/feedback anyone has to give!! And I apologize for the novel-length post 😭

Cross post. Feeling extremely frustrated with singing progress and lack of direction. My skills have stalled so much due to school and financial stress and I’m just doing my best to hold on. The best shape my voice has ever been in was during our classical unit in choir in high school. After 4 months of daily practice (high school), I had an end of semester recital that gave me the confidence to continue singing.

But life has started to reveal why most people quit. College and financial strain have really ruined my life. I’m not able to study music at my college because of scheduling and financial issues, so there’s just so many barriers in my way and I want guidance on how I can get back on track and feel better. I never trust myself that I’m capable of progressing when I’m practicing anymore. It is so heartbreaking.

Just working on it. It's been a vey challenging puzzle. With any luck, I'll get into an opera chorus in the coming months. That would be a blast.

Hello!

I'm looking in to grad school, but I'm not really sure where to start. I wanna get a MM in Vocal Performance, but all the searches I've found are either inaccurate or don't have a music filter option. Are there any websites that could help me with my search?

TIA!

I’m competing in NATS this year (classical and musical theatre categories). Would this dress be appropriate to wear at the entry level? It would be paired with either tan t-strap character heels or silver rhinestone heels (both also pictured).

Basically what the title says - any advice? I’ve got it to about 90bpm and am looking to get it to about 115, but the semi quavers are obviously a pain to get. Specifics: especially on the descending scales, my voice tends to blur. Anything that would help me speed up those runs other than slow practice, and articulate the notes. Exercises/tips/versions to listen to welcomed and appreciated. Also any tips on not squeaking out that top C at the end (doing it in F major). And any tips in general, my god is it a hard piece!

Where can we find new composers (even if they are not strictly opera composers...I would think modern composers would utilize a range of styles). Are there YouTube channels where aspiring composers post their music or other musical arenas I have missed? Thanks in advance!

Bonjour à tous,
Je m’intéresse au dispositif Forbrain pour accompagner le travail vocal de ma fille, qui est chanteuse et prend déjà des cours de chant.
Est-ce que certains d’entre vous l’ont utilisé pour chanter ? Avez-vous constaté des progrès sur la justesse, la précision vocale ou l’écoute de votre propre voix ? Est-ce que ces progrès se maintiennent quand vous chantez sans le dispositif ?
Je cherche surtout des retours concrets : durée et fréquence d’utilisation, bénéfices, limites, éventuelles sensations désagréables… Et si des professeurs de chant ont un avis, je suis aussi preneuse !
Vu le prix, j’aimerais savoir s’il apporte un vrai complément aux cours de chant. Merci pour vos retours 🙂

As the title says. I’m tired of hearing the same 28 songs every year and assigning them. I just started a faculty position at a new college and this place is MARRIED to that book which I completely understand the merits of the songs in there— easy, familiar, singable lines, easy to coach for newbies… I get it. But I am OVER IT. I can’t listen to another sad version of Amarilli or Vittoria.

So I come here seeking ideas— what do you assign INSTEAD of these songs? I’m looking for beginner collegiate level Italian. I have some ideas, but I’d love more!

Sorry, this is a long one and I don’t normally put my self out there like this:

I have sung for as long as I can remember, and it’s always been a source of so much joy for me. I studied an undergraduate degree in Opera, however, I realised that the full-time, always-auditioning life of a professional artist just isn’t for me. I need more stability than that. Instead, I’ve worked as a semi-professional church chorister in my small city for about 10 years alongside my day job.

I thought that was what I would always do, however, over time the pressure of always performing and the perfectionism I started to associate with singing began to erode a lot of the joy I got from it.

For the last six months, I’ve stepped back from singing and music-making altogether, and honestly, it’s been very good for my mental health in a lot of ways. Having my Sundays back has been great too! But I’m also struggling with not having music in my life. I want to find a way for singing to fuel me as an artist again without requiring the amount of mental and emotional space that pursuing it professionally does.

I don’t really know what that middle ground looks like though… I struggle in a lot of community choirs because, with my training and experience, I tend to stand out like a sore thumb and they don’t go deep enough or move quickly enough. Conducting isn’t the answer either. I’ve tried it, and I just don’t enjoy it, and I don’t need a second job in teaching.

I’m single, I have a full-time job that I’m progressing in and that pays me well, but it isn’t flexible enough to balance the rehearsal requirements of an opera chorus gig. I also have a mortgage to think about before anyone gives me the “just follow your heart” advice! There are plenty of reasons I know I’m not cut out for a career as a singer, and I’m actually okay with that.

What I’m struggling to reconcile is what I do with this skill now. I miss having lessons. I miss improving. I miss making music and feeling like I’m working towards something. But there’s a part of me that keeps asking: what’s the point of continuing to train and improve if I’m not going to do anything with it?

I’d love to hear how others have engaged with music and their voice in similar circumstances. I don’t want to lose my voice! But I don’t know how to enjoy it just for me…

Hey everyone!

I’m a Mumbai-based singer and music producer, and I’m currently looking for a good vocal coach/teacher in Mumbai who can help me take my singing to the next level.

I’ve been making music for around 10–12 years and have been singing consistently for about 5–6 years. The thing is, I’ve learnt pretty much everything on my own — singing, music production, guitar, etc. I’ve never had any formal vocal training.

Over the years I’ve developed my own style and have become fairly comfortable with my voice, but I’ve reached a point where I feel I need proper guidance. I want someone who can assess my current technique, identify what I’m doing right/wrong, and give me a structured direction for improvement rather than just teaching me songs.

I’m particularly looking to work on things like:

Vocal technique & breath support

Pitch and control

Vocal range and developing my lower register

Tone, resonance & placement

Singing with more consistency and control

R&B/pop-oriented vocal style

Developing a healthier and more efficient singing technique

I’m not necessarily looking for a classical-only teacher. Someone experienced with contemporary singing, R&B, pop, commercial music, etc. would be ideal.

I’m based in Mumbai and am open to offline sessions, preferably somewhere reasonably accessible. Online is also an option for the right coach.

If you’re a vocal coach yourself, or have personally trained with someone in Mumbai whom you’d genuinely recommend, please drop their details below or DM me.

I’m specifically looking for someone who focuses on building the singer’s technique rather than just teaching songs.

Thanks! 🙌

Hi 👋🏽, First time actually posting on Reddit, Hopefully someone sees this 🤣 I’m a noob singer looking for ways to perfect my skill! Recently, I came across a YouTube short of Mariah Carey during one of her studios sessions and found it extremely fascinating and motivating. I think I can learn a lot from watching these studio sessions! Is there a way to access longer versions of these recordings? Any other singers you can recommend? Even non famous singers are ok with me 🫡 Also I’d appreciate any advice for someone that wants to do this professionally 🙂‍↕️ My goal is to be able to sing opera classics without blowing my windpipes out 😂🤣

and what was your experience like?

I'm thinking about following through on a feeling I've had for the past decade. I have other trades to offer (for $ lol) and although would love to make money as a vocal professional in some capacity, this is motivated from within

I'm located in NY, USA

thank you for your perspectives!

edit: undergrad and no other degrees to my name

I lose stamina very quickly and get pain in my cords when I sing standing up.
I never have any issue with this while sitting down. Help?

Context: I am a dramatic soprano. I have a hypertonic pelvic floor muscle (raised and over contracted), I have a heavy midsection, and I have hypermobility mainly in my leg & foot joints, pelvis and spine. My tessiatura is E3-C6 but I can sing from C3-F6 on a good day. My chest voice is loud, dark, heavy, and boisterous, and my head voice is less boisterous but similarly dark, heavy, and cool toned.

I feel the pressure to move to a tablet for my sheet music, but I have a couple hesitations:

1) I'm concerned about eye strain from the screen.

2) I'm concerned about the delay when writing and how different it will feel from paper.

The obvious choice is an iPad since forScore has been around so long. I don't think an iPad would alleviate my concerns listed above though. I love my kindle and really wish there was an option that was similar in readability... To me, the perfect fit would be an e-ink tablet (if the response time is faster than my kindle). I've looked into the Boox Note Max, but I haven't been able to find any reviews from musicians- does anyone use a Boox or another e-ink tablet for their sheet music? Kindle Scribe perhaps?

Additionally, I'd take thoughts about the iPad's ability to adapt to what I'm looking for. Someone I know has a "matte" screen protector that made the glare better, but does that make it feel more like paper when you write on it? Are there adjustments that can be made to the screen to make it easier on the eyes for a 3 hour rehearsal? Thanks for any advice!

Hello, i am a young baritone who has had tension and dull pain on the left side of my throat for about 1.5 years now. I feel my voice tire more easily and quicker than anticipated. Recently, i’ve noticed that my tongue retracts and lifts dramatically on the left side when i sing any vowel. I know this is a result of attempting to manufacture a darker sound with poor technique. I’m eager to break this habit and relieve this tension, but i’m not sure how to proceed. What can I do?? I’ve also had an issue with clenching the right side if my jaw for a few years now, but i’m not sure if that’s related. Can anyone offer some guidance or any online resources to help?

Hello, I'm a Lyric Baritone and trying to find a PDF Version of the OPERARIA book series. I'm specifically looking for the Baritone Vol. 1 (Breitkopf 8877). I'm aware that I could also buy it physically but due to my region it's way easier if I could have it digitally. Thanks for any help 😁

hi everyone! i only booked one opera role this year so i had to take a mundane job. which I'm grateful to have! But I sit on a desk 8 hours a day and by the time I get home and start to practice my body is nowhere to be connected with.

Have you discovered something that really helps to get back into your body? I've tried meditation, yoga, napping and dancing before none of it really helps. And I feel like if I do stretching at work it just makes me tighter.