The Operapreneur Podcast
by Liesl McPherrin
A program that gets to the heart of the modern opera singer. The business of singing, the art of making music, singing and techniques. Staying inspired as an artist in a world of selfies and freelance gigs. How to stay an artist when you have to figure out how to be a music business.
Episodes
-
Voice for the Voiceless - Having a Mission with Chelsea Hollow
Soprano Chelsea Hollow talks about creating a recital to lift up the voices of the marginalized. Voice for the Voiceless features commissioned work by modern composers as well as serves to be a platform for political activism. Visit her website to hear her beautiful singing! www.chelseahollow.com
-
Exquisite Artists - Interview with Autumn Allee, creator of Exquisite Corpse Productions
Today we chat with Autumn Allee, creator and producer of Exquisite Corpse productions, a multi-media video production project lifting up the work of female artists. She shares with us her singing journey, some great advice, and tells us about her journey into producing art.
-
Embodied Singing: Interview with Shauna Fallihee from Embodied Singer
Today we chat with fabulous singer, yogi, kinesiology afficionado, and professor Shauna Fallihee about singing, movement and physiology, and life about navigating singing and teaching in the time as Covid.
-
Back to School Special - Creating a Virtual Program with Monica Ramich
Maybe you've been cooped up and considering offering programs for kids in the virtual realm? Maybe you've been figuring out how to convert to online teaching, but you're ready for the next steps into group classes. Today we speak with an innovative educator about creating a virtual opportunity…
more -
Video games, digital music, and audio recording with composer Brandon Higley
Today we chat with my long-time amigo, Brandon Higley, on composing video games, exploring audio software and hardware, and lots of great information about working on digital audio and mixing and editing your own music in your home studios. Mentioned in the show: Books - The Complete Guide to…
more -
Adapting to Making Music Online
What equipment I've been using, how I'm putting together recordings & what I'm expecting for the rest of 2020/aka the year from hell. A lot of stuff going on when there's nothing really going on! The equipment I mentioned: Zoom H2n Handy Recorder (as a mic) Blue Yeti desktop mic (condenser)...
-
A Conversation about new LAWS
So some changes are going through in California in regards to tax law and employment law. This is my explanation of what's happening around the arts and the impact on both musicians and studio music teachers. I hope I've helped you understand what the two designations are. If you're looking for...
-
Get noticed with a GREAT resume!!
Don't walk into an audition with a hot mess of a resume. Make sure that they ALL know just how fantastic you are on paper, as well as in the audition room.
-
Does this music Spark Joy?
KonMari is the hottest show on Netflix for organization lovers and messy people alike. Do you need to Tidy Up your music collection? I did! Make sure your aria package Sparks Joy for you.
-
What to Wear to Auditions
The age old question: What the heck am I gonna wear?! Opera is a business, whether we like it or not, and we have to present our most professional self. This podcast also includes my favorite tips for shopping for investment clothing AND secondhand shopping!!
-
Putting on a Recital
This week I am telling you a little about my trials and errors in putting on a show! You need to take a number of steps when putting on an opera, so here are my basic to-dos. I'm sure there is even more, but you're an Operapreneur, and you'll figure it all out! Keep singing, opera lovers!
-
Chamber Music, Rock & Roll, and Healing the Heart: Interview with Michael Orlinsky
This week's episode is a very real, very open chat with San Francisco Bay Area tenor, Michael Orlinsky. He is in the bands Your Stray Dog and the Rabbit Hole Orchestra, as well as an operatic tenor, composer, and recitalist. Learn more about his shows on Facebook or Instagram, and follow Michael...
-
Real Talk: Why FACHs are B––S––
Why do so many opera companies feel the need to cast based on beauty standards from Vogue and Cosmo magazine instead of looking at the singer's actual voice!? The Fach system has many singers stressed about finding repertoire that they will be cast in, not to mention feeling anxiety around body...
-
Real Talk: Little Green Monsters
Jealousy and fear of missing out become negative little green (with envy) monsters in our heads. Where are they coming from and what can we do to let go of these nasty feelings??
-
My Favorite Reads
Short and sweet this week. Some books I have really enjoyed as an artist/entrepreneur/opera singer & highly recommend to you. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert It's Not JUST About the Gig by Dana Fonteneau #Influencer by Brittany Hennessey The 21st Century Singer by Susan Mohini Kane Awakening Your...
-
Fitness & Diet - Singer Health
Fitness & Diets, what we should be doing as opera singers for optimal health!
-
Branching Out: An Interview with The Letterboxers
Today we sit down with two of my very dear friends, The Letterboxers, a ukulele duo featuring classical singers Winona Hendrick and John Mansfield. Check them out on Instagram @theletterboxers and be sure to check out their Youtube channel and like and subscribe!
-
Egos & Auditions
It is so hard to walk into an opera audition and know what is going to happen. We have to be touch yet vulnerable and sometimes that can really take a toll on our musicianship. I hope you will join me in today's Operapreneur Podcast in talking about the opera audition and how to deal with…
more -
Finding the Right Teacher in the "Real World"
It's hard to find the right voice teacher or vocal coach to work with. Here are some of my red flags when chatting with new coaches and teachers, and some of my advice for searching for someone to work with! Opera singing is such a specific field and there are so many "voice teachers" out there -...
-
Tips for Getting the Most out of your Summer Programs
Some ideas for getting the most out of the YAPs and Summer Programs for young opera singers.
-
A Message for Graduates
A message for those of you finishing school and heading out into the big, wide world to pursue your dreams and be an operapreneur.
-
Responding to NATS article: Choose Your Own Adventure
Personal response to the NATS Independent Studio Teacher article from May/June issue. Unpacking what that means. If you are a member of NATS and have already received your JoS, go ahead and read that before listening to the podcast. Thanks!
-
The Introverted Artist - A Confession
What it's like to be an introvert and perfectionist but still command the opera stage. How to navigate challenging feelings around being in groups. It took a lot of bravery to confess all of this, but this little butterfly is spreading her wings. You can, too.
-
Summer is Coming! What to do if you're not going to a YAP
I was supposed to release this at a different time, but here ya go! What to do if you didn't get into a summer training program! How does a young artist continue to grow and bloom? Create your own YAP!
-
Balancing Performing and Teaching
It's another discussion about the freelance life for an operapreneur. This time, I geared my chat to the teaching artists and those on the beginning of their freelance musical artist journey!
-
Yoga and Devotion
What is your mission statement? How do you find the devotion in your yoga &/or singing practice?
-
Done is Better than Perfect
Today's podcast is a discussion of what it means to embrace your music wholeheartedly and to let go of this idea that we have to be perfect all the time as musicians... (yeah, I know... hard to think that we can let go of that, isn't it?) Allowing ourselves to be who we are without apology. Books...
-
Branding Yourself Online
Tips compiled from many sources for using the internet to put your personal brand as a singer into the online spotlight. You are a beautiful operapreneur, and you should share it with the world!
-
Is Impostor Syndrome Holding You Back?
Negative thoughts and doubt about your self-worth as a singer are harmful to creating art. Some encouraging words and strategy for overcoming that sneaky impostor syndrome.
About this show
A program that gets to the heart of the modern opera singer. The business of singing, the art of making music, singing and techniques. Staying inspired as an artist in a world of selfies and freelance gigs. How to stay an artist when you have to figure out how to be a music business.
Hosted by
Liesl McPherrin