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I was 12 when I made my entree into opera. I auditioned for -- and sang in -- the children's chorus of the Washington National Opera in Puccini's La Bohème. I loved being part of the music, the singing, the performance and the costumes. That's when I realized it was possible to make a career of music.
After six years at Juilliard, where I earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in music, I spent a year in Miami in the Florida Grand Opera's young-artists program. I made $180 a week as an understudy.
I moved back to New York City because there are more singing roles here. When you're just starting out as a singer, the gigs come in fits and starts. I've had wonderful opportunities with the Santa Fe Opera, Wolf Trap Opera and many more companies.
Between gigs, I took part-time jobs to make ends meet. I wanted the most temporary jobs possible to allow time to practice and to be able to leave quickly when performance opportunities arose. I babysat a lot and taught a music program for small children. I've done a lot of recital work, too, in which I sing solo accompanied by a pianist. The rehearsal time is shorter and more flexible, and you get paid faster.
I make between $2,000 and $7,000 per opera role, and my manager gets 10%. My annual income from singing roles is about $20,000. That's what a famous opera singer might get for one performance.
If I were single, pursuing a career in opera would be more difficult. But I got married last spring. My husband, Jeffrey, is a music professor at Columbia University, so we have a steady income and benefits. That allows me to be pickier with my career choices.
This year, I won the Juilliard School's Alice Tully Vocal Arts Debut Recital Award for outstanding young vocalist. Because of that, I'm making my New York City debut on November 29 in a solo program at Lincoln Center.
-- As told to Mary Beth Franklin
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