What I had always thought was the “proper” way to do your schooling for the career you’ve chosen for yourself was to go straight through school until you receive your doctoral degree with no breaks. I was under the impression that if you take time off it shows a weakness in you that says you have no desire to finish your goal, or that you’re too lazy or not good/smart enough to continue.
HA! Wow. I could not have been more wrong…
I recently graduated with my undergraduate degree in trumpet performance at Northern Kentucky University. I applied for four top-notch and super competitive schools, and I became extremely discouraged when I only got into one. Due to a major lack of finances (San Francisco is an expensive city…) I had to forfeit going to graduate school for the upcoming year. During my auditions and interviews, they all asked the same question: why do you want to continue your studies, and why here? To be honest, I had no clue. I stuttered over my words and used cookie-cutter phrases to get a decent answer because I truly did not know WHY I wanted to go, I just thought it was what I was SUPPOSED to do.
I now know that I lacked what is most important for continuing your studies: a goal. My voice teacher made it clear to me recently that having a goal for your studies is imperative. I did not have a goal… All that I wanted was to study at a top-notch school with a great opera program and a place to guarantee some more experience in my craft. If I had pursued that, I would be walking around with head up my own butt not having a clue with what’s going on.
Instead, I decided to take a year (or more…) off, and THAT IS OKAY.
I read a wonderful article called “No Summer YAP? No Problem! 6 Ways You Can Give Yourself A Professional Boost During Your Time Off” (by Julie Tabash Kelsheimer). It made me think about the summers of opera singers and how we think we HAVE to be participating in a YAP (Young Artists Program), but if we don’t we sometimes feel useless. The same goes with taking time off of school. There are so many things we could be doing with that valuable time!
Here are five simple things that we can do in our time off.
1.Take time for YOURSELF.
It is so stinkin’ important! My voice teacher always got on me for not taking a break. I was always going to a rehearsal, performing on someone’s recital, tired from dance class, always practicing, etc. While those things are important, it’s also important to rest (sleep in!), go get a massage or mani/pedi, read a book with some hot tea (or wine) by your side, take a walk or just indulge in Netflix! Just take a break.
2. Boost your professional online presence (this comes from the article I mentioned)
Thank you to that article for this advice. This is something that I have already taken so seriously and boy has it come in handy. Make a professional FB page for yourself, make a website or blog, make it fun and keep it updated in your downtime! Fill it with things that you love and that inspire you. Create a twitter and keep it constantly going! Follow tons of [appropriate] profiles and hashtag trending things so that you gain followers and likes! Make sure that what you post/repost are things that won’t hinder your professional career. If you prefer, you can always have a private personal profile and an open professional profile.
3. Find ways to make money doing what you love!
We are constantly spending money on YAPs, competition entries, and audition applications. Use the time off to start your own studio or join a larger one as a teacher, audition for a paying choir, get a church job, audition for paying roles, etc! The possibilities are endless, you just have to make your own path and decide what YOU want for yourself in this time off.
4. Attend other arts events/support local companies.
When I say local companies, I am referring to regional or community theatre/opera companies. Attend every opera of the season of your nearest opera company (get those student rush tix), or attend every other theatre production, whatever you can afford. Become familiar with the directors, music directors and pianists in your area and make connections with them by attending events, auditioning, and supporting your craft locally. Making local connections can never hurt!
5. Set goals for yourself.
This advice is always hard to follow because things can change in an instant. However, you can set short term goals that are achievable within days such as learn an aria or theatre piece. Then when you’re ready, you can make big decisions such as applying for graduate school, or auditioning for a well-known competition or YAP.
One of my friends always says, “You are enough.” Never forget that. Not attending graduate school right away is OKAY, don’t let it get you down, and don’t let it stunt your artistic growth!
As the great Hannah Montana said, “Life’s what you make it, so let’s make it rock.”
Heather Hale 