Category Archives: Uncategorized

Opera and vocal performance has become an image driven business. It’s critical to look as good as you sound.   I received an email from a lovely lady named Veronica as per my request of anyone sending in questions. I hope to receive more from all who need advice on photography, makeup, and image (wardrobe, accessories, etc…).   I am having a blast writing to you and hope to give great insightful tips and pointers that can help you with … Continue reading →

What do artistic directors have to say about body image, weight, and hiring practices? Are singer and teacher perceptions about industry standards false?   For an article in Classical Singer last year I posed several questions directly to the people who hire singers. The first was, “Has your perception of body image changed over the last decade?” Surprisingly, only 18 percent felt that their perception had changed, with 82 percent stating that it was about the same.   “I personally … Continue reading →

“There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. We all have a choice. You can decide which type of person you want to be. I have always chosen to be in the first group.” – Mary Kay Ash   In my mind, there are two very important trends I have noticed that seem to be taking over our industry by embedding themselves in … Continue reading →

How much is your time worth? How do you even start to negotiate a deal? How can you get more gigs? If you don’t have a manager, these are questions and issues you have deal with on a regular basis. No matter your situation or stage of career, you always need to create value for your audience and customer. Here’s how you do it.   I received the following letter from singer Paige Myrick in Texas.   Hello Mark,   … Continue reading →

A creative, charismatic, and captivating headshot is vital as you strive to make the best possible first impression. So how do you achieve this?   I tackled that question in the current issue of Classical Singer, but to follow up on that article, I want to use this blog to answer real questions from real singers in a question-and-answer forum. I will answer you questions weekly on photography, make-up, clothing and overall presentation and image.   Please comment below or … Continue reading →

It’s a jungle out there. So many singers, so few jobs. Have you been the “Go-Getter”, put yourself out into the shipping lanes to be seen and heard, and done everything in your power to stand above the rest? Before you automatically say yes and go on about your day, read this quick experience I had recently with one of my university business students and evaluate how you’re really doing.   I regularly teach one class at one of the … Continue reading →

When you are a pianist playing auditions, it’s a day of sight-reading. Singers with high hopes and jangling nerves parade through the door, put a well-thumbed binder in front of you, point to a (hopefully) well-marked spot on the page, give you an approximate tempo, and then step to the front of the room to be judged. They are all praying the judgment will be positive, which means they can pay their rent, buy their kids a Christmas present, and … Continue reading →

Busy careers, family life, personal life–we want it all. But how do we keep it in check? Many women successfully juggle singing careers and families, miraculously finding time to travel for performances, practice new music, and attend their children’s soccer games or ballet productions. How do these wonder women do it? As a busy singer and teacher without children, I can barely find time to walk the dogs, squeeze in an occasional yoga or Pilates class a few times a … Continue reading →

Want to know which principles of marketing and advertising will guarantee you success in singing and any other profession? Here are four for starters:   The Law of Concentric Circles that lets you utilize your credibility efficiently and with leverage.   Make all of your materials and advertisements about “them” and not you. But make sure they know who you are in your materials by leading with your headshot on your business cards, letterhead, biography, website, press releases and anything … Continue reading →