Opera Offstage

The world of classical music is many things but it is certainly never dull! We have several delightful, frustrating, and bizarrely funny bits of news to dive into today so join us as we dive in as well as share some exciting news for the Opera Offstage family! Dudamel Photos: New York Times Photo Essay Join Our Discord: Discord Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

What do a famous jazz composer, a west coast ultramodernist percussionist, and a British film composer and arranger have in common? They're here, they're queer, and they're the musicians we're highlighting this Pride month. We're continuing our favorite tradition of sharing the stories of LGBTQ+ musicians you should (or maybe don't even realize you already do) know. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

The 100th Episode of Opera Offstage has finally arrived! Join us as we celebrate three years of fantastic community, unhinged instagram comments, crazy mistakes, and lessons learned.  Join Our Discord: Discord Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We spend a lot of time talking about all the various business and practical parts of being a musician, but what does it really mean to be an artist? How does someone transition from the technical focus of school into the much more ambiguous realm of artistry? Today we discuss what we believe it means to be an artist and how we can retrain the artistic muscles that make us strong and competent creators. Join Our Discord: Discord Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

February flew by, which means it's time to take a second to cover some of the crazy news that came with it, and MAN do we have things to talk about. We've got some surprising season announcements, another (unsurprising) YAP problem, a frightening Broadway update, and Michelle's personal conductor heartbreak. Join us as we unpack a very eventful month in the world of music. Join Our Discord: Discord Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We loved our writer Preston Hereford's blog post on historical figures who need their own operas, so we decided we wanted to play along too! Today we're telling the stories of some crazy historical figures and how we would adapt their tales for the operatic stage. Join us as we pit our operatic pitches against each other to see which figure comes out on top. Join Our Discord: Discord Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

The most captivating parts of music history often have less to do with music and more to do with what inspires it: LOVE! Love letters, affairs, and failed marriage proposals are just the tip of the iceberg in today's Valentines' Day episode, so join as we dive into deeply romantic and frequently cringy classical lovers. Join Our Discord: Discord Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Black History Month is an amazing time to talk about the incredible Black musicians who have formed and changed the genre of classical music, but sometimes it feels like we always see the same names highlighted each time February rolls around. So this year, we wanted to celebrate just a few of the many living Black musicians who are currently making history in our industry, changing the way we think about classical music and how we operate within our industry. Follow Our Honorees: Jens Ibsen Karen Slack J'nai Bridges Jonathan Heyward Join Our Discord: Discord Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

It's time to once again dig into everyone's favorite touchy subject: MONEY. Every artistic project, training program, and school has one critical thing in common: They all require money. So we're breaking different ways to get the cash and ditch the shame around fundraising for you artistic dreams. Join Our Discord: Discord Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Listen, we couldn't head into 2023 without dissecting the GOSSIP from 2022. Jonas Kauffman's never-ending Christmas Album, a Yoga sex-crime ring, and a certain leaked email chain that gives us the ICK-- 2022 was a year of weird music news. So come laugh, commiserate, and cringe at all the crazy last year brought us. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

As we wrap up the Messiah Season™, we enter the classical period of reflection that is the short week leading us into 2023.  We've gathered a couple pieces of advice as you set out on your new goals and adventures next year, but we can't do it alone so we've brought on friend of the pod Tiffany Soricelli to help us learn how to set better financial goals and tell us a little about a great new resource for artistic financial literacy. Sign up for The Academy: The Virtuoso Academy Follow Tiffany: Instagram Website Hear Tiffany's Opera Offstage Episodes: 73: Budgeting and Saving with Tiffany Soricelli 56: Taxes for Musicians with Tiffany Soricelli Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

The holidays are a time for thankfulness, so today we are exploring something we can all be grateful for: Good Colleagues! In the world of classical performance we are in a state of constant competition and judgement which can leave friendliness, camaraderie, and support by the wayside. So today we're jumping into all the ways we can be better to each other as musicians and a few of the ways we can at least avoid being the worst.  Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Today we're excited to speak with flutist, photographer, web designer, and friend of the pod Taylor Rossi. Taylor shares her journey from student musician to the many hats she wears today, the importance of the artist's website, and finding passion and balance in your work. In the episode, Taylor shares her best tips and advice for musicians looking to have a website that feels authentic and converts! We loved speaking with Taylor and hope you learn as much as we did.   Follow Taylor: Instagram Website NR Media Website Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Opera Offstage has risen from the dead to share more spooky classical tales filled with haunted opera houses, ghostly composers, and spirits writing music from beyond the grave! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle   Music: Echoes of Time v2 Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Art and politics have always been intertwined, but these past few years have opened up the conversation about what exactly that means for performers and theaters. It is not simply about political art onstage but also about the political affiliations and ideologies that artists hold offstage. This has led some to question where the line between art and politics lies and what exactly do artists owe the communities that support them. In today's episode we open up that discussion and and explore recent news as well what it really means to separate the two. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Every musician has at some point dealt with Imposter syndrome. In a subjective field with intense scrutiny, how could you not??? So today we're diving into exactly what causes musicians to be so susceptible to it and how we can reclaim our sense of purpose in our field. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Classical Music has always been a little crazy, but there are some pretty strange moments that get left out of even the most detailed music history books, and that's what we're jumping into today. You sent in your weird stories and we picked a few of our own to share how truly wild music history can be. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Today we're bringing in our most loveable guests yet: our Boyfriends! We talk all about how Jessie found a boyfriend via the podcast, what really is the difference between a Daddy and a Zaddy, and which instrument has wronged most of our audience. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We are very excited to have John Brancy on the podcast!    Grammy Award-Winning Baritone John Brancy‘s intense musicality and communicative power place him among the finest of baritones of his generation. Brancy skillfully switches between leading opera roles, and award-winning art song interpretation. In an article of Opera News, legendary baritone Gerald Finely says, “I look at John Brancy, a young artist who’s got his teeth in it, who loves the challenge of art song."   In the episode we do a round of rapid-fire questions like, "What is your favorite food before an audition?" and "If you could be a different voice part, what would you want to be?"   We deep dive into what it's like to transition from student to working artist, the importance of taking your cover roles seriously, and what it feels like to attend the Grammys!   SoCal residents, you can catch John Brancy in San Diego Opera's upcoming production of Così fan tutte February 12th, 15th, 18th, and 20th!   Follow John Brancy Instagram Website Spotify   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Does Milk Thicken Mucus? Will Caffeine Dry You Out? Is Vaping Safe For Vocalists? Join us as we dive into all the many faceted myths, lies, and half-truths that we've all heard more than once around the practice rooms! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We are so excited for the amazing guests we have on the podcast today! We're discussing the world premiere of Fat Pig with Soprano and Fat Activist Tracy Cox, Director and Librettist Miriam Gordon-Stewart, and Bass and Composer Matt Boehler. We talk about the intricacies of bringing a new and in someways controversial work to the stage as well as the many changes and compromises that happen along the way. Follow the Show! Tickets Film Fundraiser VHO Instagram Follow Our Guests! Tracy Cox Miriam Gordon-Stewart Matt Boehler Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We're back with another set of stories from music history and our good friend Alex Papandrea. Today we talk about the curse of La forza del destino, why you should never double text (or send 700 letters) like Janáček, and how Russian opera composers faked it til they made it. If you've got a great music history story make sure to send to us and we may cover it in our next episode! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Can a 26 year-old pull off playing a 16 year-old in a movie? Or better yet, should they? And how many shows can really pull of the "13 Going on 30" aesthetic (We're looking at you Grease) Today we're talking about the Dear Evan Hansen debacle and comparing it's issues to the very obvious age gaps in musical theater and especially opera.  Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Murder at the Met, a cult leader who performed at Houston Grand Opera, and a murderous soprano, today's episode is packed with all things spooky. Buckle up and join us as we explore some of the most haunting events from major opera houses and musicians with murderous intent.   Today's episode contains some dark topics, so listed below are the time stamps for each story along with appropriate trigger warnings: Story 1: 4:32 Death Story 2: 8:43 Cults, Religious Trauma, Homophobia, Suicide Story 3: 21:50 Murder Story 4:  30:26 Murder, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We’re excited to welcome Laura Brooks Rice to the podcast! Mezzo-soprano Laura Brooks Rice has won acclaim on the opera and concert stage for her rich, warm voice, musicality, charm and sensitive acting ability. A sought after voice teacher and masterclass instructor, Laura Brooks Rice’s private students are currently singing as regular principal artists in major opera houses across the globe. Today we discuss the behind the scenes details of planning summer programs and what audition panels are looking for in a singer. We also take a look at her private studio and discuss the qualities her top performing students have in common. From the Episode: Laura Brooks Rice's Website Sewanee OperaFest Master Class Registration Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Looking for apartment can be wildly stressful, and it only gets harder if you're a musician, and no one knows that more than we do right now, just weeks after our most recent moves. From budgeting to finding musician-friendly roommates to avoiding scams, it can be a lot to handle, so we put together this handy episode with all the advice and lessons we wished we had known before our move.   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Audition season can be hectic, stressful, and confusing. With all the mixed up deadlines, lack of guidance, and the joy that is trying to navigate YAP tracker, it's easy to see why. Today's episode is all about how to make Audition Season a little bit easier and a little less stressful. We'll talk you through how to design and prep for an audition season you can be proud of. SCYA audition list: YAP list Audition Episode: Prepping an Audition Package with Nathan Troup Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

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We're back with another minisode! This week we have way too much fun reading 1 star reviews of famous opera houses from around the globe. The audacity and stupidity is baffling, but makes for some great laughs!   If you enjoyed this episode, you can unlock access to our full vault of minisodes on our Patreon for as little as $2 USD a month! New minisodes released every Thursday.   Join Here: Opera Offstage Patreon   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Tiffany Soricelli is back, this time addressing all your budgeting and saving questions!   Working in the gig economy means you're not getting a paycheck on a regular basis, and when you do get paid it's in a lump sum, which makes it tempting to go spend all that freshly earned money! Tiffany knows what this is like and since launching Virtuoso Advising and Virtuoso Asset Management, she makes it her business to help artists get a handle on their finances.    Connect with Tiffany:Virtuoso Advising for Artists Website Virtuoso Asset Management Website Instagram   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook   Hosts: Jessie Michelle

It's Back to School season!! New school supplies, class schedules, and a million upcoming auditions makes for an exciting yet hectic time!   If you're headed into another year of music school, we've rounded up our best tips for setting goals, organizing your schedule, brushing up your audition skills, and taking charge of your progress. We also share all of the things we wish we had known in school!   Here are the other episodes we mention for further listening:   New Year, New Opera ( On goal Setting )   Making a Resume   Prepping an Audition Package   Building Motivation   Shop Opera Offstage: Performance Resume Template https://www.opera-offstage.com/product-page/performance-resume-template   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Being a classical musician is hard. In an industry that stresses performance practice, tradition, and an academic hierarchy that often creates conformity, it's easy to lose your sense of self as an artist. It's so important, especially as we head back into auditions and school, to take a step back and do some searching on who we are as artists and why we make music.   In this episode, we talk about what it means to know yourself as an artist and some really great questions to begin asking yourself to gain a deeper understanding of yourself as a musician.   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Happy Birthday Florence Foster Jenkins!   Today we are celebrating one of the most notorious sopranos in classical music.   This week, we discuss the highlights of her unorthodox career and how she pursued her love of music to the fullest. How does a woman who lacked any sense of pitch or rhythm go from performing small productions for her prominent social clubs to a sold out recital at Carnegie Hall? Whether what brought her to the stage was delusions of grandeur or a genuine desire to make music regardless of others' opinions, Florence Foster Jenkins's story is filled with many valuable lessons on being an entertainer, the meaning of success, and faking it until you make it!   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

If you ask a classical musician where the best operas are made, almost no one would say the US. The US is a major power house of entertainment in film, music, and theater, so why is American opera so unpopular, not only abroad but also in the US itself? Today we're diving into the how history and perception has shaped opera in America. We talk about our favorite American operas, whether or not English is an ugly language, and how the beginnings of opera in the US might have spoiled it for everyone. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

On June 9th, 2020, we released our first Issues In Opera episode covering the ugly truths of opera's long (and current) history with racism. Now over a year later, we're checking back in on the progress we've made, and all of the up's and down's we've had along the way.   In this episode we circle back to cover some of the incredible progress key members of the opera community have made in the pursuit of making our industry more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. We cover Black Opera Alliance's pledge and the work they are doing to keep opera companies accountable and actionable, and discuss the dangers of advocacy for show. We also reflect on the ways advocacy has grown and changed over the past year and ways we can all stay active towards making change after we return to life after the pandemic. Lastly, we celebrate some joyful projects and news from the past year.   Review the BOA's Pledge Central City Opera's IDEA overview We See You, White American Theater's list of demands Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Today we are so excited to get to interview Spencer Britten!   Chinese Canadian triple threat Spencer Britten is a multi-talented performer with the resume and sparkling personality to match. Spencer is currently a member of the International Opera Studio at Staatsoper Unter den Linden and has previously performed with Opéra de Montréal and in the Glimmerglass Festival. This year he will join Staatsoper Berlin as a Studio artist and be performing in Ariadne auf Naxos, Tannhäuser, Rigoletto, Die Zauberflöte, Der Rosenkavalier, La bohème, La Traviata, Salome, and La fanciulla del west.    We got to ask him all about being a content creator, moving to and performing in Germany with his fiancé, his thoughts about the ongoing conversation surrounding racism and exoticism in the opera industry, and what advice he would've given himself as a young artist.   Follow Spencer: Instagram Website Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Now that things are opening up again and we're looking at a season of possible live auditions in other cities, we've got an important question to answer: How can I travel better and cheaper? Luckily, we have some tips and tricks to make your next audition trip cheaper and a whole lot less stressful. We cover how to find the best deals on flights and hotels, which airlines have the most hidden fees, what you should (and shouldn't!) be packing, and lots of advice to make your next trip as smooth as possible. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Happy Pride! The LGBTQ+ community has always been an integral part of the classical music community, and today we're celebrating by sharing some queer music history and figures you may not know yet! We also talk about an exciting new documentary celebrating the first transgender singer to sing a lead at a major opera house and some LGBTQ+ musical groups and societies you should know.  The Documentary: The Sound of Identity Follow ChamberQUEER: Instagram Website Follow Queer Opera: Website Instagram Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We've all had good and bad days on stage, but some performances are truly and memorably horrendous. Today, you shared your best performance horror stories and that honestly put us on an emotional rollercoaster. From voice cracks and forgotten words to faulty music stands and broken noses, clearly we've all had some wildly bad luck on stage. So join us as we share your stories and ours in all their mortifying glory! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

People often assume singers must like the sound of their own voice. After all we spend hours every week hearing ourselves sing, listening to recordings of ourselves, and have committed to hearing our own voice over and over again as a career. But the reality is that most singers have a lot of insecurities around the natural traits of their voice, whether its speedy vibrato, a naturally smaller voice, a smaller range, a large voice that doesn't  blend, etc. Combine that with the negative self talk that permeates music departments and you've got a recipe for major self-confidence issues. So today we're talking all about learning to love your voice and all its traits and stop wasting your time pining after a voice you don't have, because everyone should feel confident and excited to share their unique instruments with the world. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Between the travel, audition fees, clothing, music, and ongoing education, music can be a very expensive career to pursue, which is why almost every musician has a second job that helps finance the first.  But finding jobs that pair well with pursuing music can be super tricky. You have to find a job that has major flexibility for you to travel for auditions and gigs, pays well enough to finance that travel, and doesn't take a major toll on your voice and body. Which is why today's episode is all about breaking down the typical and not so typical side gigs for musicians and all the benefits and drawbacks to each type. From the service industry to retail to teaching and administrative work, we'll help you find a job that suits you and your music career. Plus, stick around at the end to hear about the one side gig you should NEVER take. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

The history of classical music is filled with some pretty crazy collaborations, but what about some of the more modern ones? How about a Bel Canto soprano and one of Rock and Roll's most famous front men? Or an opera composer an indie singer-songwriter? Or one of film's most famous composers re-orchestrating many of his works for a classical violinist? Join us as we explore some of classical music's craziest pairings and all the ways music reaches across genres. As a  bonus, we have a little rant at the end on why everyone should love John Williams and why "How do you feel about John Williams?" is a great first date question. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Oh, gap years. We love you and love to hate you. The world of academia tells us silly myths about gap years like “Taking a gap year means you don’t take your career seriously” or “Taking a gap year is just one step away from quitting music.” But is taking a gap year really as career-shattering as it seems? NOPE. Not even close. Here’s the thing. Sometimes you need to take a break from school. Everything is going to be ok. In fact, things will probably be awesome! So whether you’re thinking about taking a gap year, are in the middle of one (uh, hello covid), or are just taking a break from music in general, we’re here to give you the honest pros + cons, and help you come up with a game plan. PSA: This episode topic was suggested to us by dear friend of the podcast + listener, Lauren! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

April 30th is International Jazz Day, so today we're celebrating Jazz and all the ways it's contributed to classical music! We talk about some of our favorite artists, how being a jazz musician is different from being a classical musician, some wild moments from jazz history, and even a few jazz operas! So join us as we celebrate the unique and extraordinary style of Jazz. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Usually when you say the word artist, people picture someone free-spirited and intensely individualistic and for good reason, a lot of great art is based on innovation and freedom from convention. So why do we as classical musicians face such constant pressure to conform to standards that no longer suit us, our industry, or the modern world? Today we're talking about being yourself and breaking the "good musician" mold. We tackle some of the biggest myths we all believed, why individuality is so important, and what being yourself really looks like throughout school and your career. So join us as we shake off old expectations and get ready to make the art we really came here to make. Apply for a Position: Join the Team Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

From watching operas in pajamas, to practicing in our cars, to virtual audition catastrophes— making music during quarantine is WILD. This week we’re reading your quarantine performance stories and you guys DELIVERED. These stories are hilarious, unfortunate, and everything in between! If anything, listen to this episode to hear about the time Jessie split her pants.  We also share a major announcement during the episode: our team is expanding! If you’re interested in joining our staff as a Writer, Content Creator, or Audio Editor, you can find more information down below. Apply for a Position: Join the Team Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

It's officially tax season! As musicians we receive tons of training and education, but unfortunately very little of it is usually in personal finance, so along with tax season usually come tons of questions for musicians. What should I do during the year to prepare for tax season? How do you file income from multiple states? What are qualified business expenses? Luckily we have some very qualified help to answer your questions and ours. Our guest Tiffany Soricelli of Virtuoso Advising is a licensed financial advisor who serves as the Business and Financial Coach to the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at The Metropolitan Opera and the Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera. She has worked with artists at Minnesota Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, San Francisco Opera and regularly serves as a speaker for OPERA America programs and events. With her unique journey from music to the world of finance, Tiffany answers all of our questions and then some, so that we can all go into this tax season a little less stressed and a lot more certain. Follow Tiffany: Virtuoso Advising Facebook Instagram Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Behind every great musician are a lot of really incredible teachers, but how do you find a good teacher? And what do you do if you realize your teacher just isn't the right teacher for you, because the only thing harder than finding the right teacher can be figuring out how to leave the wrong one. We're here to show you where you should be looking for your next teacher and how to make sure they really are the right fit for you. If you're already with a teacher and not sure it's working for you, we'll also go through the signs that you and your teacher just aren't compatible or, even worse, the signs that you might be with a toxic teacher. We'll walk you through how to leave the wrong teacher and all the benefits that come with finding the right one. Whether you're a student, a teacher, or both, this episode will help you navigate the tricky space of private lessons. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Everyone knows that classical music is filled with drama, but most of it is actually happening offstage. Today we're talking all about some of wildest unknown scandals in opera and orchestra. From the sugar baby who couldn't sing to fruit throwing audiences to the slap heard round the concert hall, there is a story in here for everyone. So join us as we take a peak into classical music's not so classy reality. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

In the wake of the closing of many parts of our industry and the ongoing revelations about the people and institutions involved in it, many musicians are questioning the viability and rationality of continuing a career in music. Music is a career where work and identity are deeply intertwined, which can make these questions really difficult to deal with and very isolating. So today, we're talking about leaving music and everything that does and doesn't mean. We'll walk through some important questions to ask yourself to help you find some clarity about what a future inside or outside performance can look like. Being a musician is hard, but considering the alternatives can be just as difficult, so if you need some guidance or just a friendly ear, we're here to help. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

To celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month, we've put together an episoded filled with all the joys, nightmares, and bizarre parts of being a woman in classical music. We love being women in classical music, but that doesn't mean it's always easy. In this episode we celebrate the amazing women we've gotten to talk to this year, discuss the misconceptions we've faced, reveal the things we wished we'd known when we started, and read some of the great advice you all sent in. And stick around at the end of the episode to hear us realize that today is the one year anniversary of the podcast! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

A lot of people's first experience performing new music is... less than ideal. And it can be even harder to figure out how to make those experiences better without bruising either the performer or the composer's ego, which is why we've brought a special guest on to help us make new music a better experience for everyone. In today's episode we break down why schools aren't always the best place to have your first experience with new music, how consent can and  should play a real role in the creation of new works, and how to be a better collaborator when working on premieres. Composer, singer, new music aficionado, and friend of the pod Jens Ibsen also comes on to share his experiences and some great advice for singers who want to perform new works. We also get into Oberlin Conservatory's disastrous concert poster and Wiener Philharmoniker's letter to the Met!   Read the article: Composers, Performers, and Consent Follow Jens: Instagram Youtube Website Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Today we’re joined by fellow musicians and podcasters Katie and Dalanie from Classically Black Podcast! Classically Black Podcast centers Black voices and challenges ideas of what the field of classical music looks like while including humor and references to popular culture that is sure to entertain. In the episode we chat with Dalanie and Katie about the inspiration behind starting their podcast and their journey as musicians. To celebrate Black Excellence, we each highlight an outstanding artist in the classical music field, and learn more about how Dalanie and Katie are providing community, advancement, and resources to Black musicians through their organization ISBM.    Classically Black Podcast Instagram Website   Donate to ISBM:   Website Instagram  Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Getting married and starting a family can be really tricky topics to navigate when you're a young musician, which is why we brought on two experts to help us better understand the joys and compromises of being a musical family. With 30 years of experience as professional musicians, spouses, and parents to five kids, We couldn't think of any better couple to bring on than Nathan and Julie Gunn. They shared their invaluable wisdom about the industry, where it's heading, and how they navigated it as a family.  Whether you're single, in a relationship, or already have a ring on your finger, there's something to learn in this episode for everyone, and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we did chatting!   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Opera Offstage! Today's episode is all about dating as a musician, and boy did you guys give us your opinions about it on Instagram.  We learned which musicians are easiest to date, whether or not musicians make good partners, and what musician pairing is doomed to fail, and the results really surprised us! Then Michelle gives us the Do's and Dont's of making an online dating profile as she takes us through her very short and very strange time on Hinge. Finally we talk about which opera character couples have true love and which ones are just playing games. So join us as we laugh our way through the wild world of dating as a musician! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Today's episode was inspired by listener and today's guest Sophie Horrocks! Opera Outreach programs are an incredible resource for communities and young artists, but very few young musicians know what they are or how to find them. Today we break down what these programs are, how beneficial they can be for musicians and their communities, and how to find an apply for positions in them. Then Sophie tells us about her extensive experience with Opera Outreach, including programs like the English National Opera and the Royal Opera House. She tells how Opera Outreach has changed her as a musician and what to look for in these incredible programs.  Meet our Partner:  Yoga for All Musicians- Use code OPERA for 15% of any class! Website Instagram Meet our Guest: Sophie Horrocks Website Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Creating an artistic resume is one of those things that seems super simple until you actually have to sit down and do it. How long should it be? What should I include? What if I have years with no performances? Today, we break down all the little details of making a beautiful,  interesting resume that you can bring to auditions with confidence. We cover the differences between a school resume and a professional work resume, how to avoid some easy design pitfalls, and how to fill out your resume even when you're just getting started professionally. Not everyone is a designer, but anyone and everyone can make a stylish professional resume, and we're here to help! Meet our Partner Practizma Journal! Instagram Website Sign up for our Newsletter and get our Free Resume Template! Newsletter Sign Up Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Ableism is everywhere and even the opera world cannot escape its history with it. In a year filled with so many difficult discussions about inclusion, ableism was largely overlooked, despite it’s huge impact on musicians, especially young musicians. Today we’re talking about exclusionary practices that hurt people with visible and invisible disabilities, the problematic disability tropes in opera storylines, and why innovations have to be made with and not for disabled musicians.  We’ll also highlight some incredible musicians who have and continue to advocate for a more inclusive and accessible industry. Resources: Appropriate Terms to Use Jenny Wilson-Best Interview Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Dry Mouth. Heart Pounding. Thoughts racing. Pacing backstage. Every musician has experienced performance anxiety, but most of us have never been taught how to actually deal with it or that a little bit of performance anxiety can actually be a good thing! Today, we break down what performance anxiety is, why we have it, how to lessen it, and how to use it to your advantage. Two heads are better than one, so we're also sharing the amazing performance anxiety advice sent in from our audience! Plus, we find out Michelle might have a fruit allergy?! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Happy New Year! The New Year is a time for reflection and goal setting, and it's no different for us at Opera Offstage. We're talking all about New Year's resolutions and why we're often so bad at making ones that actually work. We'll show you how to write better, more realistic resolutions, understand the the real goals behind them, and keep them even when life gets in the way. Join us as we set out on an exciting new year! Meet our Partner Practizma Journal! Instagram Website App from the Episode: Rhythm Sight Reading Trainer Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

It's finally time to say goodbye to 2020. We can't say that we'll miss this absolute rollercoaster of a year, but that doesn't mean that there isn't plenty to talk about from it! Today we remember some of our favorite moments from the podcast, give our first annual Encore Awards, and shout out your incredible 2020 triumphs that you sent us.  We love you all, and we'll see you in 2021! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This week we're playing games and talking about the weird and wild history of Christmas carols and Christmas opera!  Today we talk about: Which Christmas carols used to be sexy? Is there a popular Christmas opera? Can self-proclaimed Christmas lover Michelle name the 12 days of Christmas? Join us as we get into the holiday spirit! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle Music from the Episode: Oh, Christmas Tree by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4156-oh-christmas-treeLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

As 2020 draws to a close, many singers have one thought on there minds, "What comes next?" Today we're taking a peek into the future of opera. So much has changed this year in our industry for better or for worse and that means it's time to dive in to exactly where we see the future of opera headed and compare that to where we actually want to see it go. From education to digital innovation to representation, we can imagine and create an even better future than the one we're headed towards, and together we will. Follow Duncan Holzhall from our IG Live: Instagram Voices of Tomorrow's Songs New Voices Opera Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Auditions are wrapping up, PFOs have been sent out, and for many singers the question is what to do now while we still can't perform live? It's time to talk Covid performances! Lots and lots of classical musicians have been exploring different outlets for performing during quarantine, so we're here to talk all about the different options and tools available. We cover solo vs. group performing, different platforms for streaming, and how to monetize your performance, as well as some of our favorite Covid performances we've seen so far.  Hire Mike: Mike McAndrew Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Every classical singer has heard at least once, "You're an opera singer? I love Andrea Bocelli!" Love it or hate it, Popera is many people's first introduction to classical music. But do Popera singers really deserve all the hate from classical musicians? Today we talk all about Popera and why so many classical musicians aren't into it. Then we dive into pop singers with classical albums and opera singers with pop albums to figure out if classical training really gives you an edge in other genres. So join us as we dive deep into the fun and divisive world of Popera! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Happy Thanksgiving! Today we talk about all the things that we're grateful for in this crazy year musically and also personally, and we read some of your submissions from our instagram. We also finally talk about Jonas Kaufmann's rendition of "All I Want for Christmas is You", which is the true gift of this season.  So join as we give thanks and celebrate all the little good things that made this year possible! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Today we’re honored to interview the incredible Tracy Cox! Hailed by LA Weekly as a “force of nature,” soprano and Fat Politics activist Tracy Cox is a performer and artist whose talent has been recognized by those in the highest echelons of the industry, garnering her a Sullivan Foundation Award, the Birgit Nilsson Prize at Operalia and the Kirsten Flagstad Award from the George London Foundation. She has been interviewed by the New York Times on fat politics and restaurant accessibility, and currently has over 14,000 followers on Instagram (@sparklejams) where she regularly unpacks fat performance, fashion, and politics. In today’s episode we continue our exploration of combating fatphobia in classical music, promoting fat liberation to the world at large, and ways to push back against the typical fatphobia of the holidays & quarantine.   Follow Tracey: Instagram Website Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Classical musicians are expected to maintain a fairly well stocked personal music library in order to be prepared to perform much of the standar repertoire.  For young musicians and music students, the expense of sheet music, scores, anthologies, and librettos quickly adds up and becomes a force of exclusion in classical music. Which has lead to the creation and sharing of online drives filled with scanned sheet music, some of which is Public Domain and others which are still under copyright. This has lead to a serious debate within music circles on the ethics of these drives. Classical music has a serious classism issue, so isn't it our job to make music more accessible? Do these drives hurt musicians in the publishing industry like composers, musicologists, and arrangers? How do we fight bad publishing practices without hurting the preservation of music? While there is no easy answer, today we take you through the Great Libretto Debate, so join us as we discuss the arguments and options and come up with a few solutions of our own. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

It's a pretty stressful week in the world, so we wanted to keep things short and silly on the podcast today. So we're sharing on of our Minisodes which is normally only available through our Patreon! Today we're talking all about overrated characters in opera. We explore which characters are bland, unlikeable, or just outright simps. We have some pretty strong opinions about which characters don't necessary live up to the hype and even an opera or two that get way more stage time than we'll ever understand. So join us as we roast some of our favorite and least favorite characters! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Over the centuries, classical composers and musicians have created some of the most complex and beautiful works ever written. But behind the history of classical music lie tales of gruesome murders, suicides, black magic, and stolen heads. In the Halloween spirit, indulge in some of music history's most haunting tales and decide for yourself whether they're fact or fiction.  Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Nothing throws off your audition prep more than when you see a monologue requirement in the listing for a Young Artist Program. Luckily there are lots of handy tips and tricks that can turn this intimidating task into a valuable asset, all while avoiding the common mistakes that often lead to poor performances. Today we cover how to find, choose, and prepare your monologue so that you're ready for the audition season no matter what it throws at you.   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

When should you start looking into artist management? How do you find a manager? What are some red flags that a manager doesn't have your best interests at heart? Artist management is one of the least spoken about aspects of being a young musician, leaving young artist confused about what managers are, how they can help you, and how to avoid managers who are only looking to make money off of you. Luckily for us, we have Justin Werner and Zoey Preston of Stratagem Artists to guide us through this tricky topic. We discuss all the Dos and Don'ts of when and how to find good artistic management that can help you reach the next stage of your career. Follow Stratagem Artists: Instagram Facebook Website Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

WELCOME TO THE SPOOKY EPISODE! There is nothing we love more than a good scary story, so why aren't there more horror operas?  Today we talk all about the few horror operas there are, and why it's so difficult to bring scary stories into stage mediums. Then we talk about a couple of ways we think opera can adapt to better suit a good spooky tale. Finally we get creative and pitch some of our favorite horror films as operas, and even talk about which horror movies would make the worst operas. So join us as we kick off the spooky season! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

The phrase amateur musician has gotten a bad reputation, but we're here to redeem it because amateur musicians are some of the most hardworking and inspirational people we know. Today's episode is all about and for amateur musicians. We dive into why amateur musicianship is vital for our communities and how important it is for professional musicians to support and uplift those musicians. We also cover how to pursue music non-professionally from finding lessons and ensembles to performance opportunities and sharing your work online. So join as we explore the wonderful world of amateurism.   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Audition packages are one of the great mysteries for classical singers. What are directors looking for? What kinds of pieces should I choose? What if I have arias that are in different fachs? Luckily for us, we have opera director Nathan Troup with us on today's podcast to help answer our questions about audition packages and auditions themselves as well as answer some of the questions you submitted on our instagram! Follow Nathan: Instagram Website Class Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

In part two of our Issues in Opera episode on YAPs, we are joined by Cynthia López Pérez, co-founder of Latina Women in Opera, and Renee Namakau Ombaba, founder of Black Women in Opera to discuss the problematic ways many Young Artist Pograms treat young singers.  From treating musicans as a commodity to enforcing application and tuition fees to being behind on issues of diversity and engaging in tokenism, Young Artist Programs require a lot of change, and our guests have some brilliant ideas about what needs to happen in order for opera to truly thrive.   Follow Our Guests: Black Women in Opera Renee Namakau Ombaba Latina Women in Opera Cynthia López Pérez Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Talent is a prized possession in the world of music, the thing that can seemingly make or break the career of a musician, but how much of a difference does talent really make?  Today we're talking all about the myth of talent. We break down what talent is, why it's so misunderstood, and exactly how far talent alone will really take you in the world of classical music.  Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Young Artist Programs can create amazing opportunities for young singers to grow, learn, and network, but they can also be pretty problematic. From applications, to auditions, to the programs and their pay, seemingly no one in the classical voice world has passed through the Young Artist phase unscathed. In the first episode of this two-part Issues in Opera, we talk all about how YAP programs went from being true apprenticeships to being a source of cheap labor and how that effects all of us, both inside and outside the Young Artist phase of our careers.  Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

What do rats, outer space, and a Carmen who doesn't die have in common? They are all ways people have tried to update classic operas for the modern era! Today we talk about the trend of trying to modernize some of our most famous operas, for better or for worse. And it DOES get worse. We discuss everything from slight changes in location to completely changing the ending of shows and all the craziness in between. So join us as we take a trip through the wild world of modernized opera! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Musicians who don't bring their music.   Ensemble members who upstage you.   The people who hook up in practice rooms. From the classroom to the stage, we all have our pet peeves that just  get under our skin and bother the HECK out of us, so today we're sharing a couple of ours and couple of yours that you wrote in! So join us as we laugh and cringe our way through some of these sneaky little annoyances. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Role study can be a lot of fun and a great resume builder for musicians, but if you don't know where to start, it can also be a daunting and overwhelming task. Which is why today is all about how and why you should be doing role study! Now that many of us are stuck at home, there's never been a better time to experiment with your role study process. We talk you through each part from the beginnings of breaking down text all the way to performing on stage, taking you step-by-step through the many different ways you can approach each step and really explore your characters and music.  So join as we talk about all the joys and pitfalls of role study! Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Are there hidden messages in our music?   Was Mozart poisoned by another composer?   Is A 440 secretly being used to control us?   Every field has it's own conspiracy theories, and classical music is no exception. From mysterious deaths to hidden government initiatives, classical music has its own secrets that many people have tried to explain. Some of the explanations are compelling possibilities while some are wild, speculative guesses that defy logic. Today we take a trip through some of the greatest (and weirdest) conspiracy theories surrounding our art form.   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Today we have an incredible guest on the podcast: Tona Brown!   Tona Brown is a violinist and mezzo-soprano who made history in 2014 as the first African-American transgender woman to perform in Carnegie Hall. She is also the founder of Aida Studios where she teaches voice and violin. Aside from her incredible work as a performer and teacher, she is also an outspoken advocate for the transgender community as well as for better representation across classical music.    In this episode, we talk about paving your own way in classical music, why representation matters, bad teachers, teaching transitioning voices, and what it really means to be a good ally.   Follow Tona Brown: Instagram Facebook Website Aida Studios   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Motivation lately seems to be at an all time low for EVERYONE. With all the cancellations and uncertainty, it can be tricky to feel motivated to keep moving forward on projects and goals.   So this week we give a bunch of tips and tricks for how to build motivation and keep it regardless of the situation! We talk about how to create effective habits, change up your social circle, inspire yourself, and make goals that you'll actually keep. These tools will help you gain control over waning motivation and make the most of any difficult situation.   Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

TW: Body Shaming, Diet Talk, Weight-Loss Surgery, etc. Fatphobia is the dirty, little secret of the opera world. Hidden under excuses about costumes, "health" concerns, and pleasing audiences is a serious bias that effects every performer, from students still in school all the way to singers in top opera houses. In this episode, we break down some of the reasons fatphobia is still so prevalent in the industry, discuss the problems of typecasting by body, read the experiences of a few world-class singers, and talk about the ways we as performers can improve the spaces we perform in. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We've talked about singer drama, but composer drama is a whole new level of petty. We'll talk you through some of the best fights, insults, and romances that have graced the classical music world. Bonus: We'll talk about which composers could definitely Get. It. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Nobody makes it all on their own in classical music, which is why networking is one of the most critical, yet under-practiced skills for musicians.  For those with who haven't done it before, networking can be awkward and uncomfortable, but with help from our special guest, conductor and excellent networker Conor Whalen, we'll guide you through the world of cold emails, conversations, and follow-ups to help you grow your connections and find new opportunities. Follow Conor: Instagram Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

"You should try out for American Idol!" "What's your real job?" "Isn't Opera dying?" We love our non-musician friends and family, but sometimes the things they say drive us CRAZY. So we took your stories and a couple of our own, and now it's time to come together and have a couple of laughs at some of the funny, genuine, and unbelievably annoying things we've been told more than a few times.  Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Pursuing music as a career is high stress and time-consuming work, which means that it's not so much a question of if you'll get burnout as it is when you'll get burnout. Burnout can turn making music from a joyful experience into something you dread, which is why it's so important for us to understand it. Luckily there are some great resources to help us learn what burnout looks like, why it's so common in musicians, and some ways we can deal with and prevent it. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Welcome to the first episode in our series: Issues in Opera We all have a voice in what the future of opera will be. As members of the opera community it is imperative that we start addressing the major issues in modern opera, and no issue is as pressing in this moment as racism.  In this episode we break down the Met's formal statement they released earlier this week, talk about who should and should not be taking on certain roles, what these next steps might mean for opera repertoire, and what you as a musician can do now to improve the spaces you already perform in. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Happy Pride! The LGBTQ+ community, and especially the BIPOC LGBTQ+ community, have always been an integral part of the classical music community. Join us as we celebrate some major milestones both historic and modern, introduce you to some musicians, and talk about groups you can support this Pride. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

We love our teachers and masterclass guests, but hours locked in a room together working is enough to drive anyone crazy.  We've collected some of YOUR best masterclass and teacher stories to share, and boy are some of them absolutely out of this world. From thick tongues to snatched wigs, laugh along as we see just how crazy some teachers can be. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

What happens when a page falls out of the binder mid-song? Is snapping to give tempo rude? How can I be a better collaborator? Today we discuss best practices with our collaborative pianist friends Mike McAndrew, Andy Gladbach, and David Fraley and figure out what they're really thinking about when they work with singers. From advice on how to build a better working relationship to giving tempo and proper binder etiquette, join us for this Collaborative Pianists Tell All! Follow This Week's Guests!: Mike McAndrew Andy Gladbach David Fraley Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Practice makes perfect... except when it doesn't. Perfectionism has always been the enemy of progress, and musicians are particularly vulnerable to its effects.  This week we're calling ourselves out on our perfectionist tendencies and finding ways to overcome this sneaky, bad habit. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

When you're an opera singer, drama comes with the territory, but some singers take it a LOT further than others. Closed productions, stolen bows, and actual fist fights abound as we cover some of the biggest divas and divos from all eras of opera history. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Some days you really nail and audition... but sometimes you REALLY don't. We had you guys send us your craziest audition stories, and boy did you deliver. Join us as we laugh our way through binder swaps, awkward jokes, and some impressive improvised art. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

It's easy to think that music school has it all covered. After all, looking through the average music school curriculum it would be hard to imagine among all the theory courses and private lessons that much would fall through the cracks, but sometimes four years is a lot shorter than you think. This week we're looking back on our collective twelve years of schooling and talking about all the things we wished we had learned and ways to incorporate them into your education, even if your school isn't quite ready to. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

"Practice makes perfect" At least, that's what everyone says, but what does good practice actually look like? Today we have three wonderful guests : Madison Leonard, Ryan Johnson, and Professor Ida Nicolosi, all at different stages in their careers, who help us explore what a good practice routine looks like and how it changes with us over time. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle

Every performer loves a good audience, but not everyone understands the importance of retaining your audience when you're not on stage. Social media connects you to your audience year-round, but few performers understand how to fully utilize their platform. Opera Offstage is here to help. We break down the major social media platforms and answer the pressing questions on how to create a social media presence that is equal parts authentic to ourselves and engaging to others. Follow Us: Instagram Twitter Facebook Hosts: Jessie Michelle