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Baritone Lucas Meachem didn’t take the traditional path to his successful opera career. He transferred schools three different times during his undergraduate years. He landed his first professional gig after tagging along with a friend to two YAP auditions. And he decided to accept a fellowship with a prestigious opera company rather than finish his degree. Now, with upcoming engagements around the world, Meachem says he has no regrets. He took the best opportunities available to him—and the opportunities keep coming.

From what to charge to how to find students to how to get them to pay and keep coming, established singers/teachers share the ins and outs of beginning a private studio.

Conductor Jason Tramm seems to be everywhere all at once in his roles as director of music at Ocean Grove Great Auditorium, assistant professor at Seton Hall University, and now artistic director of MidAtlantic Opera. Learn more about how Tramm juggles it all and his exciting plans for his new opera company, including a Young Artist Program starting in fall 2016.

Take the practice skills you learned while an undergrad to the next level to, in turn, take your career to the next level.

My husband has a new hobby. Well, he calls it a hobby. I lovingly refer to it as his obsession. When we moved into a new home over the summer,

As a singer, your body is your instrument. So how do you best condition your body to make it the most optimal instrument it can be? Find out here.

Are you stuck in a repertoire rut? Or do you feel that your teacher isn’t assigning you songs that you love? Learn how to take the bull by the horns and find the music that is right for your voice and that will truly inspire you.

Singing can make you a better, happier human. You can learn to access your deepest emotions and channel them cathartically through your voice. You can have deeply unifying experiences with

By Jonathan Blalock It’s that time again! We’re all either constantly combing through yaptracker, Auditions Plus, or relentlessly pestering our managers for appointments this Fall. If you’re like me, you’re

By Angela Peterson Winter Growing up, I was studious, plan and goal-oriented, and steadfastly committed to following through to execute the vision I, and my parents and teachers, held. Behind

David Salsbery Fry is a highly intelligent and vocally gifted bass who began his college career pursuing medicine. He quickly turned to opera, however, and has enjoyed significant success, graduating from the Johns Hopkins University and continuing his studies at the University of Maryland and Juilliard. Fry has sung in opera houses throughout the United States, including performances at the Santa Fe Opera and the Aspen Music Festival. He has been on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera since 2008, performing in new music workshops and covering supporting roles on the main stage. What is most remarkable is that Fry has done all of this with a severe disability—one that he has concealed from the beginning of his career.

Five managers discuss what they look for in singers they sign to their rosters and the dos and don’ts for a good working relationship once signed.