S9 E7 - Mark Schowalter - Backing Into The Met

This week, our guest is opera singer, Mark Schowalter! We talk with Mark about his "unexpected path" from a young "prodigy" in Wauwatosa to the prestigious stages of the Metropolitan Opera! He shares his story about how he "backed into" his career, moving from St. Olaf College to Juilliard before being "Called Up" to the Met for a 25 year career singing opera! He also gives us some insight into the inner workings of the Met, exploring everything from its 13 different unions to the massive scale of its costume and set departments. We wrap up with a candid discussion about the challenges facing "dying art forms" like opera and ballet, the impact of declining arts education on younger generations, and the importance of nurturing a classical music culture. All that and much, much more! Enjoy!