How to Join an Opera Group

To many, opera has passed its pinnacle, but others still revel in the live opera, taking in the power of a genre that was born in wilder times. If you want to become an opera singer, you'll need to show that you have what it takes to belt out tunes the way the traditional great altos, tenors, sopranos and basses have done before you.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Work on your voice. Opera involves extensive vocal training to get yourself to the point where you can project the needed volume and power from your throat and chest. Getting your vocal power amped up to where it should be is the principle of becoming an opera singer.

2. Develop a repertoire. Practice specific songs you can memorize and perfect, a kind of portfolio you carry with you to demonstrate your skills to any audience. You may want to invest in the sheet music for these songs if you don't yet have everything memorized.

3. Start small. Sing at Christmas and other holiday shows, at churches, and at special events. Solo performances are a setup toward building a professional reputation and getting comfortable with being before an audience.

4. Learn about the history of the genre. Having an in-depth knowledge of opera types, history of writing, famous opera singers, etc. will make you a more desirable part of an opera group when you put yourself out there for collaborative projects.

5. Meet and audition with various groups until you find a mutual fit. You'll need to find a group you want, and a group that wants you. You can do this by auditioning, or by getting proactive and convening a group of like-minded singers and musicians for your own venues.