All Articles – Page 348

Our sample phone survey showed that, in general, opera companies, apprenticeships and competitions do not seem to know the laws set forth in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), or to believe that the laws apply to the arts. Should singers start lawsuits when they aren’t hired, or fired and suspect the decision is age-related? We think there is a better way to make changes.

We asked John Wehrle, Artistic Administrator of Utah Opera, to comment on how age, marriage and/or children affect hiring decisions. Many companies think singers can’t handle frank talk like this, so singers are left in the dark. We are grateful to Utah Opera for trusting C.S. readers.

Men who feel physically and vocally ready to perform certain roles have trouble getting past the age barrier on the other side: seeming too young! Believe it or not, this can also be a barrier for women.

Classical Singer is always looking for stories of singers who start successful careers later in life. Soprano Martile Rowland was not available to be interviewed for this article so we contacted her friend and coach Benton Hess for the story.

We knew that doing an issue on age and career longevity would have fairly broad appeal, but the response was nothing short of overwhelming. 145 pages of responses!
Our solution was to include some responses in the article below, with the rest posted on the website. Our thanks to all who participated.

I wanted to sing, and I wasn't being allowed to do that.

Should you take the plunge? Joan Krueger on the pros and
cons of being a New York City coach

New York taxes are among the highest in the nation. For 21 years, Volunteer Income Taxes for Artists (VITA) has done income tax returns for performers at no charge. Conard Fowkes, an experienced actor and volunteer with VITA, explains the potential pitfalls hidden within the complexity of New York tax laws.

Do you have to live in New York City to have a career? Professional and emerging professional singers from around the world talk about where they live and work.

I can’t tell my mother where I’m living.

Looking through our database we found building which have seven or more singers living in them.

One year ago, soprano Kimberley Bentley began the process of transforming herself from a student to a professional singer. The proposition is formidable under any circumstances, and life in New York City presents special challenges. Photographer Jonathan Ellis documented a week’s worth of frustrations and triumphs. Kimberley discusses them below.