Modern Singer

Arts administration is another way you can continue to be involved and influence the arts without being a full-time singer or actor or a nice way to supplement your singing career if you don’t want to sing full-time. This week, Ellen and Alyssa talk all about how the skills you already have as a performer can translate into working in other parts of the industry! What do you want to hear about nex...

You have your book, you have your audition videos…but now applications are asking for more than just your rep list. Whether you’re applying to university, to a summer stock company, or even just to a new day job chances are that you’re going to need at least a few references. This week, Ellen and Alyssa break down the etiquette of asking for references not just as a singer, but for school, work, a...

The key to getting any audition ever: nailing your resume to get noticed. Now, there are literally so many different ways that someone can format a resume. This week, Ellen and Alyssa go over the current standard layout for American auditions. Getting into the room is hard enough, don’t let one piece of paper take you out of the running! What do you want to hear about next? Send us a DM so that we...

As singers, there are so many different ways to approach networking. From classes and lessons to social media and in-person events, there is a wide array of opportunities to connect with other musicians at all stages in their careers. Today, Ellen and Alyssa go through a few of the different ways to get noticed outside of the casting room in ways other than singing! What do you want to hear about...

We’re all smart, but do you know that it’s also an acronym that can help you achieve goals of any size? This week, Ellen and Alyssa break down what SMART stands for as well as how to use it in your personal and professional life as a professional performer! Want to know more? Send us a DM so that we can chat more about it in another episode! Resources: 1/5/10 Year Planner Let’s get social: Support...

When it comes to side hustles, voice acting is a direct connection as a singer. Put the skills you already have to use from wherever you are. We’re all trained actors, now you just have to make sure it translates through your voice alone. This week, Ellen and Alyssa are talking all about how to set yourself up to start your voice acting work! Want to know more? Send us a DM so that we can chat mor...

What’s more annoying than hearing your teacher correct you on something? When you know that they’re right and you’re now having to say the same things to your own students. This week, Ellen and Alyssa are chatting about some of the things they’ve learned from their teachers that were 100% true (unfortunately). Resources: Learn Your Music the Right Way Workbook  Lesson Contract Template Let’s get s...

We tend to believe a lot of narratives in the opera community. Some of them are true, like if you don’t learn your music you probably won’t be hired back, but some of them are also completely false. This week, Ellen and Alyssa are breaking down their top opera myths to start repicturing what success looks like! Resources: Lesson Contract Template Networking Tracker Let’s get social: Support the po...

Why wait until the new year to set yourself up for success? This week, Ellen and Alyssa are talking 7 habits you can start right now to set yourself up for a stellar start to your year! Resources: Reset Bundle Goal Slaying Planner Let’s get social: Support the podcast  Follow us on social media Search our website Check out our Shop Follow Ellen Follow Alyssa

Welcome to your new WEEKLY podcast!  Mastering the social media algorithms is a constantly changing environment. This week, Ellen and Alyssa are sharing their top 5 tips for staying ahead of the game when it comes to posting on all of your favorite platforms (except the artist formerly known as Twitter).  Resources: Branding Workbook Social Media Workbook Let’s get social: Support the podcast  Fol...

Audition season is right around the corner! We’re talking all things prep and track today on the Modern Singer podcast. With audition season spreading out to now being across multiple months instead of a few weeks condensed at the end of each year, keeping track of your applications is absolutely essential. Interested in learning more? Check out our episodes 20-22 for our Audition Season Breakdown...

Making your mind a safe space can be hard, especially during a busy audition season. This week, Alyssa sat down with licensed therapist Madeleine Dopico to chat about how to be kind to your mind during stressful times of your life.  Don’t forget to check out friend of the pod Ashlee Waldbauer and her work on Nevertheless Schlee Persisted wherever you listen to podcasts! Madeleine’s Information: We...

Money can be hard to talk about. As singers and performers, sometimes we don’t have gigs for months at a time, so making a budget to live by is crucial. When it comes to the new school year or audition season, there can be some extra or even surprise expenses. This week, Ellen and Alyssa are breaking down how to make your budget personal and other expenses to plan for throughout the year to suppor...

Now that you have all of this new rep to look at, we’re talking about how to market yourself and network with your colleagues! Take yourself to the next level this audition season by putting everything we’ve talked about in our rep series together! RESOURCES:  Save on YAP Tracker with code MEZZO103 Fire Shut Up in My Bones music Wolf Trap Aria Audition Resources Spotify playlist  Reset Bundle  Lea...

There are tons of new operas popping up throughout the United States right now! With that comes more opportunities to make new music happen which is so exciting! This week, Ellen and Alyssa break down five show options to choose from (including both of their favorites) when picking out your contemporary American opera rep for your package this year. Want some other options? Check out the list of h...

The standard opera rep is no longer all that companies are looking to see in your audition package. They want to see your creativity in your music selections! This week, Alyssa and Ellen dove deep into their music history knowledge and beyond to bring you options from some operas that are still done, but not as often. Be sure to check out the summer rep series playlist to listen and follow along!...

More and more companies nowadays are adding musical theater and operetta to their seasons. Now is the perfect time to add something new to your package! This week, Alyssa pulled together a list of shows that are easily accessible for singers who are new to musical theater or have been singing it for years. Stand out from the crowd this season by adding some variety to what you sing! Resources: Sum...

Summer is in full swing and now is the PERFECT time to revamp your audition repertoire! Not sure where to start? Ellen and Alyssa have you covered across this five-part series! Today, we’re covering standard operas with rep suggestions from each show. Even more exciting? They made an entire playlist on Spotify ! Be sure to check it out if you’re in the market for some new rep this year. Resources:...

Summer is finally here! But…now what to do? This week, Ellen and Alyssa are diving into part two of what do do when you’re not in a summer program! This week, we’re diving into branding and social media, websites, and even your bookshelves! Have a question you want answered? Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? Shoot us a DM or fill out our topic request form! Resources: Branding Workbook Soci...

Summer is finally here! But…now what to do? This week, Ellen and Alyssa are diving into part one of what do do when you’re not in a summer program! We’re talking all things refresh, learning, and more! What are you picking up this summer? Have a question you want answered? Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? Shoot us a DM or fill out our topic request form! Resources: Summer Reset Bundle Lear...

Networking is something business majors learn but it isn’t really talked about in your standard music education program. We have to meet so many people that it can be overwhelming on where to start growing your professional network. This week, join Ellen and Alyssa as they chat about all things Networking 101 and how to make it feel less icky! To make it more fun, starting June 12th there will be...

Motivation can be really hard, especially when you’re the one in charge of your time and effort. It can be even harder when you don’t have a school schedule to define your timelines. Whether you’ve been out of school for a while or you’re just on summer break, this week we’re talking about different ways to keep yourself going!  Have something you want to hear about? Send us an email or submit our...

Being happy-go-lucky and cheerful is wonderful…but sometimes it can be taken too far. This week, Ellen and Alyssa are talking all things feelings when things are only allowed to be positive.  Have questions you want answered? Send us an email or submit our topic request form! Resources: What is Toxic Positivity? The Toxic External Validation Style of Classical Music Toxic Positivity: The Dark Side...

Artistic burnout happens. Whether it’s getting overwhelmed, working yourself past the point of exhaustion, or just staying overstimulated for an excessive amount of time. Today, Ellen and Alyssa are talking all things burnout and how to help get yourself out of a funk! Resources: American Psychological Association Books Every Singer Should Read Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, a...

This week, Alyssa sat down with mezzo Mack Wolz to talk about all things travel as a professional singer! Want to take some of the scaries out of becoming a world-traveling singer? Look no further! Resources: Check Mack out on Instagram ⁠Travel tips with Modern Singer Let’s get social: Support the podcast Follow us on social media Search our website Check out our Shop Modern Singer book club Join...