I have no idea why, but today I was thinking about how I might be able to create a website for young artists entering into this business to help them navigate the treacherous road that is having an opera career. I think a lot of young and aspiring singers seem to be reading my blog, so I was just brainstorming (in my own head) about ways to expand my help for them. Or perhaps warning them to run screaming from this career as if their houses were on fire. I hadn't really decided which. Then I suddenly had this recollection of someone telling me that one soprano, by the name of Laura Claycomb, had put some advice for young artists on her website. I've never met Laura, never heard her sing, but her name just popped into my head, so I checked out her website to see what she had up there.
And WOWIE WOW! She has written about basically every single subject a young up and coming singer could want to know about with complete honesty and frankness. I am just so impressed that purely out of the kindness of her heart she has decided to share this information with the world, because frankly, most singers aren't willing to discuss subjects like agents and PR publicly with as much honesty and insight as she does. And besides all this, I listened to her sound clips, and she's really a world class artist, and one who hasn't necessarily taken that most traditional route that I mentioned in an earlier post. But she has obviously thought a lot about this career and what tools you need to make it, to all of our benefits! So, I know it's kind of a cop out, not having had my own original thoughts for the day, but I'm sending you to her website. If you're a fan, you can listen to her sing (and check out her crazy ass out of this world high E at the end of Caro Nome), and if you're a singer or an aspiring singer, you can use her website as an invaluable tool. I swear I'm not just trying to give her PR or something - I've literally never ever met her - this is completely a case of admiration from a far via the internet (and based on reading her writing I have this idea that we would be friends if we ever met)! Anyway, here ya go: www.lauraclaycomb.com Enjoy!!