Studio Vox

Congratulations to Emma Wilansky, one of our extraordinary 2024 Virtual Semi-Finalists!

Can't wait to see you at Towson University on October 5th!

Go get em diva!! Emma Wilansky

Congratulations to our 2024 Camille Coloratura Awards Student Division Semi-Finalists! Come see their live performances Saturday, October 5th at Towson University!

Anne Burgett .burgett
Camille Labonte
Camille Robles .robles13
Catherina Carrington .carrington
Cristina Rosheger
Emma Wilansky
Halle Rosemond
Lara Tan Rui Qi
Lora Bashmakian
Rebecca Clark
Tess Levine

Fantastic review Jason Kakuk!! Bravo!!

Opera Baltimore's The Impresario: Hilarity and Heart in a True Story(s)-Blog For Opera Baltimore’s concluding opera of the season, the company chose to present Mozart’s The Impresario , creatively expanded and personalized, in celebration of the company’s 15th anniversary.  In outline, Mozart’s work is a one-act German singspiel that tells the story, in comedic ...

To the singers amongst you... pull up a chair, I want to have a little chat.
To fundamentally survive in this career there are many qualities you have to possess, but some we never talk about.

Recently, I was asked to give an interview by a young lady who contacted me to be the subject of a paper she had to write for her degree on someone she admired in the industry. We chatted about a plethora of subjects, about what it means to be an opera singer here in 2024 around the globe.
It got me thinking to all the things we are not taught at music college.
Like:
How to do your own taxes and manage being self employed. I currently pay taxes in three countries, 3 accountants, different rules and different payment systems. I have to learn what to put away and for when. How do you balance that in a climate like today?
These days, it is becoming less likely that a singer will be paid for the rehearsal period. Take my latest contract. World premiere, away for 2.5 months as we had an extended rehearsal period. No rehearsal money, no accommodation cover. So, I had to financially plan ahead knowing that during the revision time, rehearsal time and until after the run of shows were over I'd have no income.
TRICKY STUFF- especially when you're a soprano and you find it hard enough to count bar lines! Haha!
My advice about tax and self employed income is to find an accountant that already has artists on their books, and to always have a back up plan. Don't forget the COMPANY will tax you, and then of course, your manager takes their percentage too.
The other thing I wanted to mention was being able to survive, on your own, for extended periods away. I know various singers cope with this issue in a variety of ways. But the reality is it is TOUGH. I adore meeting new people and love being in the rehearsal room with my colleagues, but what happens after that?
You're often alone, in a foreign place, sometimes surrounded by a language you don't speak. For some this is a great challenge, for others remarkably daunting.
It can be so tough, lonely, and this life will often challenge you- especially in regards to mental health and stress.

However, it is SO important that when you enter this career you do it for the RIGHT reason.
Fame and fortune, in 2024, relate to a VERY small percentage of singers. And even then (as I was talking about with my dear friend Jamie Barton the other day), there is VERY little loyalty from companies these days in regards to work AND a consistency in pay.

So to do this career you need to first and foremost LOVE IT.
Don't do it because you want to be famous, or to live in a palace. Do it because it's all you've ever wanted, because it occupies your heart and your mind every day, because it is who you are.
And then, when the curtain comes down and the audience show their beautiful appreciation- they are clapping not just for your great performance, but for the sacrifice, hurdles and great spirit that you have in order to be up there, doing this daily.
Survive.
Work hard.
Be proud.
❤️❤️❤️

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Adopts the Music of Opera Singers, Too On the star’s new album, the track “Daughter” includes her take on an 18th-century Italian song most often heard in classical music recitals.

With my favorite Not Mean Girls! Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of for a fantastic production of and a resounding Brava Diva to each and every one of you .caroline.o !!! A standing ovation well deserved!!!