<p>I hope this question doesn't sound awful. My daughter loves singing (choral and classical) and currently attends a high school of the performing arts. I would love for her to pursue something she is passionate about but I also would like her to have a job that is stable and makes enough that she doesn't have to struggle paycheck to paycheck. She is a straight A student and is looking into other fields like being a physical therapist with the thought that she could also teach vocal lessons. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?</p>
<p>First of all, it’s a long haul and there are no guarantees. My D finished her MM in voice over a year ago. While studying for her MM she had a weekly church job as a section leader, a twice weekly job at a private professional performing arts school, and through referrals via the aforementioned jobs several private students. She also performed as a professional in public concerts, in voice over, at private functions and, after graduating, for a small regional opera house and other regional concerts.(oh yes I forgot the competition money). She made a good living after graduating, with summers as an adjunct professor at a local college and a pretty good bunch of private students the rest of the year. She quit all this recently because she decided to pursue opportunities in Europe. As far as opportunities go-----they are becoming fewer, but they are still there.But the ratio of talented grads to available stage work is not very promising. D’s point of view is that it’s helpful to go to a grad school that has a good track record as far as getting a broad spectrum of their students professional work during grad school and after graduation. Nearly all of her substantial jobs where obtained through her university department’s recommendations and referrals. And you need to live somewhere where there is work. A city that supports at least one opera company, supports classical performances and where you get paid well for lessons.
But if your D wants stability…classical voice is probably not the best career to follow. Though D has supported herself in the last three years via music alone ---- she would be the first to tell you that it is not easy.
I’ve posted this link before, but it breaks down the typical operatic career path quite well
[What</a> does an Operatic career look like? | The College Audition Blog](<a href=“http://auditioningforcollege.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/vocal-performance/what-does-an-operatic-career-look-like/]What”>What does an Operatic career look like? | The College Audition Blog)</p>
<p>It is not easy and there are many more opportunities in Europe. When my d studied abroad in music in Vienna, it was recommended that because of her voice type, Europe would offer many more performance opportunities. Opera thrives in Europe, not so in the U.S.</p>
<p>To teach vocal lessons, your daughter should have training and experience that would attract students willing to take private lessons and invest in themselves. If she wants to be a physical therapist, then she should, but I would not suggest to her than she can teach vocal lessons on the side if she has not invested in proper technique herself over many years beyond high school.</p>
<p>Just another observation based on my D’s experience. When she finished her grad degree, of all of her friends who did not study a performing art in college, she was the only one working within her metier. That is to say, she gained some valuable skills in music school and even in a down economy these skills translated into some sort of work.
For years our family has been in the entertainment industry in one way or another. D has always had the advantage of understanding the risks and vicissitudes inherent in the performing arts. So just this…It’s really something that you need to go into with your eyes wide open. Pointing out reality never hurt anyone in this sort of enterprise and understanding the market that you are graduating into is essential. And the market your D graduates into will be different from the market that my D graduated into. For better of for worse.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for all the input. I’m so happy to have found this website and being able to ask questions from people who have been there, is extremely helpful. Thanks again!</p>
<p>I recommend this thread in the Musical Theatre forum which has some great examples of how recent graduates are putting their careers together. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1318265-what-future-our-mts-training.html?highlight=composer[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1318265-what-future-our-mts-training.html?highlight=composer</a></p>
<p>My son is planning to major in sound recording technology and minor in performance. I hope that he will also be able to study conducting and participate in musical theatre, as I believe he will need that entire skill set to build a successful music career.</p>