How-To

6 creative & affordable ways to learn a language

6 creative & affordable ways to learn a language

As classical singers, we constantly are looking for creative ways to learn a language quickly and affordably. Languages are important to our craft: we sing in different languages, we work in different countries, and our colleagues speak different languages. Yet we’re often not in another country long enough to learn the language by exposure alone.

Kristen Seikaly
4 tips for when there are too many notes

4 tips for when there are too many notes

When it comes to singing coloratura, it's easy to imagine that there are those who can, and those who cannot. "She's always been able to move her voice," we say, as if it's a skill one is born with. That may be true, but it doesn't mean the rest of you will never sing fast notes.

Jenna Simeonov
How to make the most of your summer program

How to make the most of your summer program

It's summer program season, everyone. I'm so excited for you all! These are good months, spent in intensive training programs with teachers and coaches that are hard to pin down throughout the year. Lightbulb moments will be had, and new arias will be learned.

Jenna Simeonov
How to play for singers

How to play for singers

Pianists, you're a busy bunch. So how do you learn all that music, and prioritize like a pro? When it comes to playing for singers, pianists are often in one of three situations:

Jenna Simeonov
Singers: here's how to use social media

Singers: here's how to use social media

Social media is...what? Handy? A headache? Free self-promotion? It can be all of those things, but more than anything, it's a necessity. We know that lots and lots of opera singers are on Facebook and Twitter, and it's completely changed the way we see the business.

Jenna Simeonov
How to lead your pianist

How to lead your pianist

Singers, how much do you love auditions? I know you're all troopers, experts at the art of wowing someone in two arias or less. It's really all about making your way through the huge list of Things You Can't Control. Often, one of those things is the prowess of your audition accompanist.

Jenna Simeonov
5 Tips for University Auditionees

5 Tips for University Auditionees

Young singers, as you sing your hearts out for the faculties at the University of Toronto, GGS, Western University, McGill, Juilliard, Eastman, NEC, Peabody, Oberlin, Rice, and Curtis, I offer you tips from your audition pianist.

Jenna Simeonov
Music School Auditions: 4 Tips for Parents

Music School Auditions: 4 Tips for Parents

As a follow-up to my recent 5 Tips for University Auditionees, I wanted to extend advice to the parents of young singers. You’re supportive, you travel long distances with your kids, and you wait around all day as they do their audition thing. Here are a few etiquette tips for parents, from the mouths of professional pianists who play auditions all day long.

Jenna Simeonov
How to be a Coach, with Liz Upchurch

How to be a Coach, with Liz Upchurch

Liz Upchurch is a pianist, vocal coach, and the Head of the COC Ensemble Studio. She’s in demand as a coach across Canada, working regularly at places like the St. Andrew by-the-Sea Opera Workshop and the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy, and she was a judge for the Bravo! TV show, Bathroom Divas: So You Want To Be An Opera Star?

Jenna Simeonov

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