As a freelance singer, I find that I am on the computer A LOT. When I’m not practicing or at rehearsal, the internet is where I do my work: looking for auditions, applying for jobs, writing emails (my boyfriend says I am a professional email writer), updating social media so you look like you’re doing something with your life, looking for resources for opera singers, like grants, or rearranging you resume for the 5,000th time–these are just some of the ways I spend hours working. Below are some of the websites I use all the time, have made my life a bit easier, or are just invaluable for their content.

Websites

Yaptracker

Okay, to be honest, I hated putting this first on this list, but it is most certainly the most used website by opera singers. It has pretty much every major opera company’s auditions listed, plus tons of opportunities in Europe, and then a tons making you think, “WTF is this doing here?”

You’ll hear us say on the podcast multiple times that there are some major updates that need to be made to this website, but as it stands, it’s the only one of its kind. So, while we have a few gripes with it, it is by far the most comprehensive and convenient way to look for auditions.

Auditions Plus/Classical Singer

Auditions Plus is provided by Classical Singer and is another great tool for finding audition and job listings. While is isn’t as comprehensive as YAP Tracker, you can find different listings on it than YAP Tracker. I also really like Classical Singer’s encouraging and supportive vibe, because all of their features, posts, stories, are for the singers’ benefit.

Opera America

This website is really invaluable for singers. There are probably a lot of things you don’t know that are going on that Opera America is putting together just for the opera community. Opera leadership brunches, career panels, recordings days, auditions, shows, and more. Check it out every once in a while to see what’s up.

Aria Database

This a great tool to use to find basic information about an aria or opera. They list the role, fach, synopsis of the aria. If you want to know if an aria is a good fit for you, or if a certain opera has a role for you, then this is the place to go. Or just read it quickly before your next coaching so you remind yourself WTF you aria is about.

IPA Source

A great resource for finding aria translations and making sure you are saying those words right. Subscriptions are available for the year, or you can just get the translations as needed. It’s a great start to the translation/pronunciation quest.

Defining Your Career Level and Choosing a Yap 

If you don’t know already, here is a list of programs and their career level that was put together by Laura Brooks Rice (of the CoOPERAtive Program) and Ann Baltz (of the OperaWorks Program). It’s a bit old now and is not totally comprehensive, but it’s certain a good start to that YAP spread sheet you’ve been meaning to make…

The NEW New Forum for Classical Singers

Ask anything you want, no judgment. Or maybe lots of judgment, but we all mean well. There are SO MANY Facebook groups now for opera singers it’s a little overwhelming. I think that they are amazing at helping us get more connected and giving a sense of community in the opera world. The one problem I have with them is that many times, people are just takers instead of also givers. If you have a question, this is the place to ask! But don’t forget how the saying goes, “Give a penny take a penny.” It has to go both ways.

The Organized Singer

This is a little known site that has some great ideas and tools for tracking your auditions. If you want to save time and stay organized, this site has got a lot of audition tracking sheets already made for you!

Backstage

Backstage has a lot more listings for auditions that are not opera, i.e. musical theater, theater, and film. If you want to get into any other performance mediums like these, then this is the place to start.

Musical America

This website is  little crowded and can be overwhelming, but is has so many articles and resources. It’s similar to Classical Singer in that is a resource tool with tons of different angles, but this one is not just for singers. What you’ll find here also includes info about grants, job listings for arts administration, listing of choral groups, and more. Seriously, their content is…A LOT.

Modern Singer Mag

Modern Singer used to be known as ‘Sexi Soprano,’ but they have changed quite a bit since they started, and are working hard to create relevant and helpful posts for singers. Also, I know a few singers who write for them as a “side hustle,” so if you have a good idea for an article, you might want to consider connecting with them!

Schmopera

I love Schmopera. It’s written by Jenna Simeonov, who is actually a pianist and vocal coach. I think every article is wonderfully written, timely, and informative. This site won’t give you job listings or resources, but it will has the pulse on the opera community, covers important matters and the future of opera, and even does so in a humous way.

Do you have any sites that you use all the time as an opera singer? Help a sister out and comment below!

XOXO,

Elise