What a whirlwind February was! At the end of January, I was ready to start what was going to be the most hectic month of my life. And then, we all got sick.
4 of the 6 people in my house were sick! I thought I was done for. I admit that I panicked a little because I thought I was going to have to drop out of all of the activities. Well, thankfully, I didn’t. The illness lasted for about 2 weeks and then we were done and the madness resumed. And what a great time it has been.
On March 4, North Carolina Opera will present Sanctuary Road. It has been an honor, a privilege, and a pleasure to be part of this production. It’s my first professional production in years and I could not be happier. I was also asked to participate in The Magic Flute, also presented by North Carolina Opera. I’m living the dream and it’s amazing!
I was talking with my husband recently, and we came to a realization: I am a professional opera singer. I think that title often comes with a connotation of being a soloist. And, yes, opera singers do sing solos; however, the singers in the chorus are also singing opera. So, I can effectively claim the title. Achievement unlocked!
There is something about accepting the title that has changed me. I confess that I often suffer from Imposter’s Syndrome. I’m always scared that someone is going to out me as a fraud because I don’t have a music degree or because I haven’t sung for some big time company. The truth is, though, I’ve been a professional opera singer for a long time-I’ve just never actually gotten paid for it. As I go back and listen to my Sewing Room Opera videos, I see the growth in my voice; I remember the hours of practice it took to prepare for those videos. It is professional-level work, in my opinion, and I’m still growing. In fact, I’m just getting started!
Keep singing!
Fran