November 2014

Princess of Persistence : Lise Lindstrom

Soprano Lise Lindstrom grew up in a musical family, and yet it took some time before her passion for classical music really took hold. But Lindstrom has never done things the usual way—for example, there are no big YAPs on her résumé. Instead, patience, timing, and the right people at the right moments coupled with lots of hard work and perseverance have been the keys to Lindstrom’s success. For the past 10 years, she has been singing Princess Turandot all over the world. But she used to wonder if her career would ever get off the ground.

Ask Erda: : How to Reboot Your Singing Career

Three singers ask how they can start singing again after taking time off for various reasons. From a change of Fach to taking a break early and then later in life, Cindy has all of the answers here.

The Doctor is In: : That Morning Voice!

Do you have an early morning audition coming up? Find out what causes “morning voice” and what you can do to improve your singing abilities before noon.

Musings on Mechanics : No Need to Be Petrified! Surviving Laryngeal Ossification

Have you ever wondered why some singers who win competitions and land coveted Young Artist spots in their 20s fail to have long-term, successful careers? Faulty vocal technique, exposed when the larynx matures and ossifies, just might be the culprit. Learn how to troubleshoot your own vocal technique to ensure this doesn’t happen to you.

The Entrepreneurial Career : Everything I Needed to Know about Making Music I Learned from Parenting

Cultivating a business and nurturing a child have a lot in common. Lessons learned from parenting can help you grow your business.

From the Editor : At First Glance

A few years ago after playing in the pit for the final dress rehearsal of Utah Opera’s The Flying Dutchman, my oboist friend told me that this was one production

Bulletin Board

Metropolitan Opera Cuts Nine Percent of Nonunion Staff On September 12, 2014, the Met laid off 22 administrative workers. The opera company made the first in a series of budget

Extending the Stage : Mezzo-soprano Carla Dirlikov

Mezzo-soprano Carla Dirlikov’s reach goes far beyond the scope of her music career. Her degrees from University of Michigan, McGill University, and the Academy of Vocal Arts have led her down both hoped-for and unexpected paths, including that of cultural envoy for the U.S.

Working with Difficult Conductors and Directors

What do you do when the diva isn’t a fellow singer but the conductor or stage director and there seems to be no pleasing them? Get practical advice from singers on how to remain professional and deal with difficult people in such situations.

Asking for Letters of Recommendation

So you need recommendation letters for grad schools or Young Artist Programs? Read this first.

Embracing Challenges, Encouraging Collaboration : Atlanta Opera’s Tomer Zvulun

A stage director first, Tomer Zvulun has directed productions from Seattle Opera to the Metropolitan Opera and everywhere in between. Now with one year under his belt as artistic and general director of Atlanta Opera, Zvulun weighs in on his new role.

Let’s Review Those Reviews: : Getting the Critics’ Perspectives

Get an insider’s view from music critics themselves about their thought process during a performance and while writing about it afterward.