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We singers eventually come to the realization that not everyone is so lucky to have a full-time career on the big stage - we also learn there is nothing wrong with that! Many opportunities outside of mainstage opera productions exist to let singers continue singing while pursuing other passions. Here are some ideas to keep your singing career alive in creative ways from one innovative singer to another. 

Collaborate.

Nonprofit companies and other fellow performers are always excited to join forces and create a show! Be it an art exhibit or a dance showcase, there are so many chances to pair music with differing art forms. Recently, I produced “Drag me to the Opera”, an opera and drag showcase in Austin, TX. The opera and drag communities came together to enjoy these spectacular art forms collide! These two communities may have never mixed had it not been for an event like this. You never know what may come of these sparkling partnerships!

Sing for a Cause.

So many organizations need their voices heard, and donating your services as a singer can be a great way to give back to your community and network with local professionals. Offering to sing for free all the time is not necessarily an advisable business practice, but visiting facilities and singing for those that need uplifting experiences, like nursing homes, schools, etc., is admirable and charitable. Plus, it's free practice! 

Start a Project.

You don’t necessarily have to perform everything you study in school or with your teacher. There is so much literature out there to discover, why not look into some new song cycles or different arrangements of art songs? The great thing about singing for your own purposes is you can choose to work on whatever you'd like. Try new things! Explore!

Branch Out.

Music and classical singing can overlap with many other fields. We singers are not limited to only singing! I am currently pursuing music therapy, which involves learning to play many instruments and studying psychology. Perhaps you want to self-accompany, or learn to accompany someone else! There are musical opportunities everywhere that will often contribute to your singing, too. You can also step outside of your musical comfort zone to expand into other fields. You may be able to offer your singing at a work function, or use your networking skills to design a company event. Branching out may also benefit your singing in the long-term, too!

Compose!

Have you ever thought, “I wish there was an opera about ________?" It might already exist, or maybe it's waiting to be created. Why not write it yourself? Find a friend to work with if composing music isn’t your forte, or brainstorm your unique ideas with others! Even performing or recording an existing piece in a new way is a great way to create new work. 

There is no right or wrong way to keep singing alive in your life, regardless if you end up singing in a regional opera company or volunteering your time entertaining at nursing homes. The most important part of pursuing a singing career is to find your joy in it. Do you have creative ways of performing or making performance opportunities? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!