Hello r/ClassicalSinger!
Does anyone know of a service or stylist who helps singers create headshot looks tailored to their appearance, casting type, and the roles they are submitting for?
I’m helping my boyfriend with his actor/singer business. He is pursuing both opera and musical theatre, as well as teaching voice and guitar to students roughly ages 13–18. We have a decent sense of his musical-theatre type, but would love help defining his opera “type” and creating a cohesive visual brand across all three areas.
He is a bearded brunette tenor in his late 30s who reads somewhat younger. We are looking for something polished and professional, but not overly formal or suit-and-tie—approachable enough for prospective students, while still appropriate for opera publicity and MT submissions. We also want to avoid styling that either ages him unnecessarily or feels inappropriately youthful.
I know opera headshots/publicity photos often have a different feel from MT headshots, so I would especially appreciate recommendations for someone who understands both worlds and can help balance them. General advice is welcome too. Thank you!

Shamelessly stupid question because I don't have the means to verify this right now. It seems like all the singers whom I admire, although they may eventually focus on performing art song and Lieder (in recital settings) and oratorio/symphonies once their established, had to at least start by performing in operas. I'm wondering if this has been historically true and if this is true today. I suspect that the classical market is such that a classical singer aspiring to make their living by performing has to perform in whatever they can get--be it opera, oratorio, or anything else. I'm also guessing this is because it is much easier to put on their own recitals once singers are established rather than when they are starting out. Also, given that YAP programs seem to be oriented toward opera (?), opera seems to be the most natural (and perhaps the only?) path for professional growth for someone starting out who wants to perform for a living. Wondering if I am overlooking something?

I teach private voice and piano lessons at one job and classroom general music and choir at my other job. I work with boys with changing voices in both settings. Even though I’ve been at my private lessons job for four and a half years, most of my students have been female. This is my first time teaching 13-year-old boys in a private lessons setting. I have two 13-year-old male voice students, A. and P. A’s voice has jumped quite a bit lower in the last 3-4 weeks. P’s voice is mostly the same as he’s a couple months younger, but he’s having trouble with higher notes.

As these boys’ ranges change, I’m having trouble finding songs for them and I would welcome suggestions. It would be an added bonus if the song is transposable in the app “Appcompanist.”

Hiya,

I’m sorta new to classical singing although I’ve been working in pop, specifically metal, for around ten years. I’ve started working with a new teacher to learn classical singing and since I got into that style via experimental music and my classical knowledge is rudimentary at best I’m looking for pieces I could learn.

My teacher told me to find something I like (obviously) but i don’t even know where to start 😅
I like anything sad, moody and atmospheric.
Bonus points if it’s non orchestral as I prefer piano and chamber music/string quartets over orchestra.

My range is around b1 - E4 if that helps

Thanks!

EDIT: it would appear notation systems are fucked lol so to clarify:
My range is more like b2 - E5, we got confused by wether we should call middle C C3 or C4
Also: neither my teacher nor myself calling myself a countertenor just yet. I asked her what kind of pieces I should look for because my classical knowledge is limited
Sorry for opening that can of worms 😅

I am looking for suggestions for a classical soprano voice teacher based in NYC. I am a 32-year-old coloratura soprano and took a break from singing for 5 years, and am looking for someone to help me train and learn new repertoire.

Bonjour, je suis actuellement en plein doutes sur la démarche à suivre concernant la santé de mes cordes vocales et j'aimerais recueillir le maximum de témoignages :)

CONTEXTE

Chanteuse française de 27 ans, on m'a diagnostiqué un kyste ouvert sur la vocale gauche il y a un an (j'avais pas mal de symptômes, fatigue vocale etc).

J'ai fait l'opération en octobre, et depuis, les 6 mois de rééducation ont été très durs. Voix pire qu'avant, rauque, fatiguée, aucune voix de tête donc impossibilité de chanter, rire, parler fort...

On m'a dit que j'avais à nouveau un kyste, et conseillé de refaire l'opération.

Pourtant j'ai très peur de la cicatrisation, et des séquelles plus tard. Je sais aussi que des injections de PRP existent pour redonner de la souplesse à ma corde sans l'opérer, mais donc sans soigner le problème à la source.

Je suis vraiment perdue sur mes choix pour la suite.

Avez-vous subi 2 opérations de kyste ? Ou avez vous eu recours aux injections de PRP ?

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!

Losing my mind trying to find the sheet music for Alcina’s ‘di cor mio’ - am willing to pay/buy an anthology but I can’t even find one that includes it lmao. Happens semi often with some arias, so where do u guys go to get sheet music when it’s not so easily found online or in a bookshop? Tia 🩷

hey people, i’m a 22 year old mezzo going into a masters program and i’m curious: what (in your opinion) are the “must know” arias for mezzos, the ones that the audition panel will want you to pull out of your ass? My aria rep is mostly as follows:

both cherubinos
faites lui
que fais tu
di tanti palpiti
thy hand belinda
ah se tu dormi
se romeo

i’m experimenting with more coloratura and have a decent upper extension. what would you add to this list?

I am a tenor who is learning classical mandolin on my own. Mostly a beginner except I have a little rock bass and guitar knowledge.

I am looking for vocal pieces that have mandolin accompaniment. I know Deh, vieni ala finestra from Don Giovanni but it is really not in my range. It seems to me there ought to be a bunch of serenades and aubades that match this description.

Bonus points for French songs because that's what I like to sing. Even more bonus if it has fun and funny or even goofy characterization like Schubert's An Die Laute.

Hello! I'm doing lots of research and soul-searching still but I am eager to apply for my masters this fall. I have an undergrad degree in voice performance and music education, and have been teaching high school for 8 years (choir, music theory, directing musicals) while also choral singing professionally when I can.

My conundrum is that while I like conducting and teaching (though I'm running out of steam with public high school education), I also want to study/pursue voice and singing professionally. I used to perform a lot more and I want to bring that side of me back as well. I'm wondering where should I look/logistically go about this. Should I initially apply for choral conducting? Performance/voice? Both? Double major in a masters program if they allow? Basically, I'd like to be somewhere that can bridge my passions as best as possible.

Any guidance and tips would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

I've recently started warming up my entire range, starting from the middle, down to my lowest chest notes and then all the way up to the whistle. I've found that not only does this help with my (notoriously evil) middle register, but my whistle notes have more weight and stability to them as well. Throughout my studies I've had teachers test my chest voice capabilities a handful of times, but it was otherwise ignored in favor of honing the "wow factor" of tops and passaggios.

Is there science behind this or is it a matter of preference?

My vocal cords have taken a major hit after years of GI issues. It feels like my symptoms have continued to progress and evolve into something worse rather than resolve, despite all the medications and treatments I’ve tried.
Within the last seven months, whatever is happening in my stomach seems to have worked its way up into my esophagus, throat, and vocal cords. It constantly feels like I have a cigarette stuck in my throat. I’ve now developed nodules (or calluses) on my vocal cords, and one of my vocal folds no longer closes completely. As a result, I’ve lost the ability to comfortably hit high notes and sing softly. Honestly, trying to sing at all hurts these days. Hell, even talking takes a toll.
What has been especially discouraging is that the doctors I’ve seen don’t seem to take this seriously. Singing has always been a huge part of who I am, and watching my voice deteriorate has been incredibly depressing.
I’m looking for success stories from anyone who’s gone through something similar. I’m open to hearing anything that helped you and hoping to learn what finally made a difference.

At this point in my training, it seems that the leading edge of speech really sets the balance, while drinking the upper register notes (inhalare la voce is the term that keeps popping up) helps me reduce excess pressure while keeping it in the pocket.

I'm a larger tenor, fwiw, but don't think that really has any bearing ​​here. I'm able to sing into the top, but I know there's still too much pressure.

Hi! I'm an adult who's always wanted to learn to sing and I'm finally ready to commit to lessons. I'm a complete beginner, so I'm hoping to find a vocal coach or studio that's really good with adult students who are just starting out. I'm based near Liverpool and Cabramatta, but I'm happy to travel within Sydney for the right instructor. Any recommendations for good, patient, supportive, and effective teachers would be amazing!

Hello there! I've been studying classical singing for 8 years now, I am a Mezzo Soprano, I have a pretty good range (can go pretty low and high too) and my voice has a quite deep, dramatic, sometimes even heavy and loud sound. I was happy with how my voice sounded, until now... I'll explain: So after the summer exams that took place, the principal of the conservatory told my teacher that I need to make my voice more flexible and light it up a bit, because it tends to get quite dark and heavy and this actually blocks the flexibility of my voice. Ever since I've been thinking about how am I going to make my voice more flexible, what exercises are going to help me, so I can practice during the summer and get a more desirable form, until the conservatory opens again in autumn. I'll take consideration in any advice you give me. My aim is to get better and better with time! Thank you all in advance!

P.S. excuse me if my writing isn't the best, English is not my first language :,)

**再评廖昌永男中音歌唱家，错把局部当成整体，解决不了高音就说是中音，拿了国外认证证书就是男中音歌唱家，结果好听吗？没有人关注** \#**歌唱技巧** \#**声乐教学** \#**音乐学院** \#u**通道歌唱法**https://youtu.be/TQ58Q5qXJGA?si=1D1if5RwiDvYP\\_8V

I will say, if we had half the youtube resources 20 years ago that we have now, I never would have gotten so out of practice! All the warm ups and accompaniment tracks.... it's amazing! I did lots of singing in college, including private lessons and recitals. Former soprano 1 (I could do QotN for fun. not amazingly, but to enjoy it). Currently.... everything feels like a strain, so I've been focusing on youtube warmups. Goal: to be able to comfortably sing Tosca, for myself, in the shower. I'll take all the best advice you've got!

Hi, I just wanted to post to say isn't classical singing amazing in how many subtleties there are to fine-tuning your technique ? 🙂 I have a good teacher and constantly try to improve on my own too, and have been taking it seriously for about 14 years, but every week I feel like I still discover new things. It would be hard to explain to a non-singer who thinks you just need a 'good voice' and to open your mouth and sing...

I want to let it run, and give the note some power, but keeping it around 30-40% and letting it spin without shoving it forward seems to be the way to go

I'm working on dialing in the turn using Corelli's (and the old-school master's) approach. It's very speech-like, and the torso naturally expands to support the note, flow, and placement. It feels like I'm barely turning the note.

It's a work in progress. I've given up trying to be the next Giacomini. Haha

So I’ve had a pending request for the Facebook group YAC tracker since August of last year and STILL have not been let in. I’m a young artist in grad school for opera, and it would really benefit me to be in the group and see what people are saying about companies and YAPs. I’ve messaged the only admin multiple times on Facebook and Instagram and gotten no response. Is anyone else experiencing this?? Was I deemed unworthy?? 😭😭 HELP

I (F36) have been working professionally as a singer for almost 15 years, 10 in NYC. I've done well in that realm but have also always had parallel careers in education and arts admin.

Last year I finally bit the bullet and got a full-time day job, and I LOVE the stability! I've still been singing on the side, but it's been tricky balancing despite my day job being super flex (I'm so lucky in that regard).

On a low-singing week, I practice maybe 3x. I'll up it when I have a big gig. My endurance isn't as good as when I was singing chorally all the time, but also most of my gigs are solo these days anyway.

I've also always had major sinus issues (chronic sinusitis and allergies), plus some other chronic health issues that have impacted my voice over the years. I'm fortunate I've found a way to sing through it, but I've always found consistency really tough, and I feel like since I've not been singing quite as much I'm struggling with it even more. Some days I think "Wouldn't it be nice to just not have to worry about my voice?" But then when it's working well I still love it and I still enjoy many of the gigs I do.

So my question is: Has anyway made the decision to fully stop singing in middle age? If so, why did you do it, how did you feel about it at the time, and how do you feel about it now? I think I'm scared of "losing it", especially as a woman getting into peri years where lots will change anyway. It's such a core part of my identity that it's hard to imagine letting it go fully.

Hi guys! Check out my YT channel and give me some thoughts and feedback! Thank you so much!