Suitcase Conversations: Thoughts from the “Inter-room” (Interim)
This blog post serves as the second installment to my series entitled Suitcase Conversations, which explores the liminal experience of moving from university into the freelance artist “space”; the psychological turmoil and the consequent quest for clarity that tend to characterize this period. If you missed the first installment, check out Suitcase Conversations: Renegotiating artistry as a freelancer.
The transition is by no means an easy one. In fact, the struggles can be incredibly unnerving. Speaking personally, mine include: finding and testing out a new voice coach; coping with a throat chakra that did not “smaak” (appreciate) all the change in my personal & professional life; imposter syndrome; change-induced melancholia, and not being in physical proximity to my university friends.
In my first post, I suggested the renegotiating of what constitutes time “well spent”. In this installment, I’m going to focus on what I’m doing with my “free” time, in between preparing for forthcoming concerts.
I find that one of the greatest management techniques for a change-induced slump is exercise. So, I try to walk the dog every morning, while the dew is still fresh upon the neighbourhood tarmac. Not only does the crisp air wake Benji and myself up, but it engages our cores and lungs, in preparation for yoga (well - perhaps not Benji - More on his downward dog attempts in a future post ;) See below for evidence). This was snapped in my home studio, where I teach students on Saturdays.
I have a selection of DVDs which guide me through various types of yoga. The benefits are widely touted across the internet, but for a vocalist, an additional plus is that the singing body is stretched out and cleared of any stagnant energy, which could block the free flow and projection of the voice.
After exercising, I enjoy a protein-based breakfast like a poached / boiled egg on toast, with a dollop of mayonnaise / horseradish / marmite. (I like to shake things up, so that my taste buds don’t get bored).
Next, I march up the road to my grandparents’ house, and into my grandmother’s art studio overlooking their beautiful garden, where I vocally warm up. This involves listening to voice notes which I recorded while studying in Grahamstown with my bel canto opera coach. I also use exercises prescribed by my local vocal teacher, a retired opera singer who is a breathing specialist. In total, I spend about 15 to 20 minutes on this practice.
To give my voice a reprieve, I spend forty five minutes to an hour working on my online Italian language course (Duolingo). This tests my pronunciation, translation, spelling, and vocabulary skills, so it’s excellent for beginners.
Before and after lunch, I study sections of my old and current repertoire. This involves ironing out any technique errors in certain passages, perfecting pronunciation and facial posturing, and, let’s face it, getting the tune in my head!
I have a part-time afternoon job as an au pair (which occasionally extends into baby sitting). This not only affords me a stream of income to fund my art, but it is work that I enjoy, which stimulates rather than detracts from my physical energy. On a more practical level, it has also forced me to actually use my driver’s licence!
The world of work has changed. It has become increasingly rare to have a single, life-long career. Most Millenials have several different ones, often simultaneously. The preconception of being somehow less of an artist, less ambitious, committed, less XYZ if you do not have a 9-5 vocational job no longer applies. The fourth industrial revolution has dramatically altered the way in which the world works, and has opened up a wealth of opportunities. In today’s economic climate, it is therefore increasingly common, and fiscally prudent, to derive a sense of purpose, direction, and career-fulfilment from multiple work streams.
As a case in point, my current work life is composed of four income-producing activities. I’m a freelance concert performer, I coach people in vocal health & singing, I au pair, and I babysit. I’m also branching into media-management for a company hereabouts. I’ve identified the various skills that I have, and how they can be gainfully employed. The result is that I’m largely, and very happily, my own boss. Although I foresee that in the future these strands might change, the overarching principle is that I will always have a number of strings to my bow. I find this to be very empowering.
A major perk to my au pairing job is that I have free access to the estate’s gym facilities. After my shift is over, I take a swim in the heated salt water pool, or work out at the gym. I’ve lost most of the puppy fat I gained at university, but most importantly, I feel healthier, and less stressed. Bodies wax and wane in size, and that’s okay. Health is what should be the constant focus. I often have the pool to myself, and enjoy floating on the expanse of water, bathing in the last rays of sunlight; an almost spiritual period of me-time.
I have very thoughtful, generous employers. Here's some evidence of this:
As already mentioned, I work on Saturdays as a voice coach. I help my students with their specific sound production issues, but my focus is on incorporating what I’ve learnt from studying drama, the alexander technique, opera, and yoga into our lessons. The goals are to enhance vocal health and to gain as full an understanding of “the singing body” as possible.
My parents’ sitting room is transformed into a singing studio, complete with music stand, water, a yoga mat, candle and essential oils burner. It is a safe, artistic, warm, light-filled space where my students can explore the full capacity of their voices under my close supervision. Although they are on different stages of the vocal development continuum, the resounding response so far is that the way I do things is fun, educational, and produces almost immediate positive results in their sound production and confidence. This brings me great joy.
To summarize: although the transition into the new phase of my life has been challenging, there are many plusses. These are: identifying and securing multiple streams of income; working with little kids; several areas of personal and career fulfillment; driving; networking with new artists and performing in new spaces; delicious home cooked meals; and spending time with my family and pets. Above all, I feel that leaping into the void is no longer as daunting as it once was.
I hope that you enjoyed reading about how this bird-of-the-forest is navigating post-university nest life! If you did, please give this post a like, a comment, and a share!
Love and Light,
The Forest Weaver xxr
