Year One Graduate School Reflections

Even though the future is very unclear right now, I am still looking forward to continuing my studies. There was a time when I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it in to graduate school. Now I just wrapped up my first year and have some major academic accomplishments to show for it. A research grant, a graduate assistantship. I am utterly assured that this path is the one I am meant to be on. I am sharing two major reflections/take aways from this first year. I can’t wait to be back in my new home of Chicago to continue this growth.

It’s a long race, pace yourself.

I’ve mentioned this sentiment that my father once offered me before on Melody & Grit, but I think it always bears repetition. I am a person with many artistic interests, and while I want to take advantage of all the opportunities before me, sometimes I need to slow down. When I was younger, I would often become overwhelmed with the number of activities I was doing. In middle school, I remember being on the softball team, taking horseback riding lessons, voice lessons, and preparing for the upcoming cheerleading season all at once. Something had to give for me, and it did. Not everything I was doing was a priority. Wisdom has granted me the ability to prioritize. 

When I arrived in Chicago, I wanted to perform at open mic nights, workout everyday, meet new friends, go to blogger meetups, have weekly photoshoots, and work at a coffee shop--- all the while as a full time graduate student. Not exactly feasible. So...school came first, work came second, and everything else came after. With this mindset, I was often pleasantly surprised at the things I had the time for. I have allowed patience to give me peace. I know that I can wait for the right opportunities. Often, when everything is happening, nothing is really happening.  

Collaborate, empower, and give to your colleagues.

First of all, it is the right thing to do. Second of all, the alternative will never serve you. 

Let’s deal with the first reason. I am all in favor of singing being a “business.” And for a business to survive there needs to be self-advocacy. You need to be your top priority. However, I have never, once regretted giving to another singer--- even if I was taken advantage of. There should always be peace in your heart when you operate ethically and generously. I’ll never forget I was auditioning somewhere this year, and it was my time to use the practice room to warm up. The singer ahead of me was still in there. I could tell that she had arrived later than she wanted and felt frantic. I gave her ten minutes of my warmup time (I had only 5 remaining). Would I have liked to run one of my arias full throttle one more time before the audition? Sure. But I still had a great audition. Giving her just a bit more peace comforted my own heart. 

There is a phrase that is often thrown around in the arts--- “there’s room for everyone.” And truly, with singers turning into entrepreneurs everyday, making administrative calls, there is. The landscape of our industry is changing, and everyone is a networking connection or artistic relationship. Singers are now expanding our own industry. As soon as you think you don’t “need” someone or decide to be less kind or generous, the sooner you will, in fact, need their generosity.