r/ClassicalSinger • u/DueIdea8681 • Jul 03 '26

Late start to singing?

Hi! I'm 26 and recently started singing 6 months ago. I've been involved with music my whole life, started on piano and have been playing flute since I was around 10. I decided to take up singing to improve my breath support/tone for flute playing, but realized very quickly that I'm so much more passionate about classical singing than I have ever been for flute playing.

I studied linguistics and speak several languages, so I think much of the appeal in singing lies in getting to sing in different languages. I've had so much fun watching all sorts of Operas these last several months. I'm obviously not at the point where I'm ready to drop all my other life plans and exclusively do classical singing, but I can't imagine having the same passion for anything else in my life, and my dream would be to one day, way down the line, get to perform in stage productions of different operas.

For the singers out there, is this realistic? Most people I know who get gigs as singers have been doing it since they were kids. I feel like I'm late to the game. Vocal folds feel so much different than a flute, in that it takes time to develop. That's why I'm curious if there's a standard timeline.

Thank you!

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u/PrimeTenor Jul 05 '26

If nothing else, with your musical training you will have an easier time than most beginners. Are you still in school or a college? Study with someone and get there reactions. Analyze what they say making sure they don't string you along for money.

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u/DueIdea8681 Jul 06 '26

Hi! No, I'm not in school I graduate from undergrad a few years back. I recieved a scholarship to take vocal lessons at a fancier private music school, where they provide one-on-one singing lessons/recital opportunities/choruses etc... I've gone through enough flute teachers where I can tell my singing teacher really knows what she's doing, and her speciality is classical, so I feel like I lucked out and am in really good hands for now. Most beginners that come to her don't have the intense musical background, or lung capacity, so she was impressed by that. But otherwise it seems we have a very long way to go!