No one wants to do a Pay-to-Sing–not unless you have millions of dollars tucked away somewhere. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to learn from wonderful teachers in some quaint town in Tuscany every summer, but  a) I can’t afford it, and b) it is really going to progress my career?

When I graduated from my master’s, I decided that I didn’t want to do PTSs anymore. It made sense to me. I’d already spent tons of money in training, I’d done some decent PTSs in the past, and I was ready for other (albeit small) YAPs or companies that hire young singers. That’s the next logical step.

The thing is, these days PTSs seem to have become a necessary step (or STEPS) in a singer’s career. I found out later that my logic just wasn’t true, and I decided to go back to PTSs after protesting them for a few years. Even after you graduate from your Master’s, pay to sings can still be beneficial to your career. Not only will you develop as an artist at the program (if it’s a good program), you will also beef up your resume and get some good connections in the field.

So, here are some things to consider when considering if, and which PTS to do.

1. Exposure to top professionals who listen to, work with, and hire pro singers.
   • Choose a YAP that has instructors that work for companies that you would like to work for in the future.
   • Not sure? Reach out to your network of friends, teachers, and coaches to see if they know any of the people working for that YAP. Also, check the faculty bios to get a sense of what circles they travel in.
2. Ask yourself what you need or want out of a program this year, and AIM TO GET IT.
   • Do you need a role on your resume? Do you need connections to industry professionals? Do you need to work on your languages? Whatever it is you need, a PTS can help provide you with just that.
3. Ask for time and money.
   • Often PTSs want you to decide right away, and offer you little to no money to begin with. Ask for an extension on the deadline, and ask if they have any scholarship or work study positions available. While it’s not guaranteed you’ll get it, you definitely don’t get what you don’t ask for. At best it works, and at worst, it doesn’t hurt; however, I can say from experience that many times you’ll get something out of it.
4. Find out what it’s really like.
   • Ask singers and professionals you trust about the program to hear what they have to say. Reach out to people you know, but also try asking the Facebook Opera Forums to reach out to people who have been in the program before.
5. Remember, you are a customer.
   • Don’t forget that you are paying for a PTS, and you deserve clarity of expectations. Know what is expected of you (come PREPARED) and make sure you are getting what you paid for, i.e. coachings, lessons, masterclasses, performances, etc. Be respectful, but be firm on what you want of a program, and don’t settle for less.

My tips are based on mine and other professional working musicians’ experience. These tips are meant to inform, empower and inspire you to take ownership of your career, and not let others tell you what is best for you. YOU are in charge of the direction of your career!

Good luck,

Elise