Networking 101
Finding your people--and your next gig, even if you live "in the middle of nowhere"
Teacher: “You’re sounding really good.”
You: “Great, I’d really like to perform this piece soon. Where would you suggest I look for opportunities?”
Teacher: “Well, just look around. You’ll find something!”
You: … thinking: what the heck does that mean?!
Sound familiar?
We’ve realized that what the teachers actually mean is be available, be consistent and NETWORK! But how do you network when you live in a (mostly) rural area a few hours from any major cities? Lucky for you, that’s where we live, and we’ve still been able to find success! Below is a list of things we’ve done (IRL) and continue to do to connect with other musicians, broaden our network, and create the musical career we want to have.
Make your own fun.
Like…. *ahem*… a blog about singing where you get to invite people to discuss topics you’re interested in and make more connections. (PS If you think you’ve got an interesting musical journey or pet topic and want to share it, reach out! We’re always looking for more podcast guests/guest writers!)
Want to sing a particular piece/masterwork/kind of recital? Find musicians and a venue, advertise and make it happen! Form a chamber ensemble. Organize a group that regularly sightreads together. We even know someone that ended up building a small opera house close by because there wasn’t something in the area! In an age of diminishing “established” opportunities, creativity and a little gumption are your friends! (Plus nobody knows whether all the line items on your resume are “legit”--having experience and singing well are what matter most! Plus, even The King’s Singers or Voces 8 were once “just a bunch of friends performing together” because they loved it.)
Open Mic Nights + Networking Events
One of our friends co-hosts an open mic night for (mostly) classical musicians in DC. It’s a great way to meet people, perform pieces that are new or in-process and hear new repertoire.
Another friend said that in college, he arranged headshots for him and all his friends with a local photographer. Because he guaranteed a certain number of clients, it meant he got his headshots for free!
We held a “Women in Music” discussion group for about a year after the pandemic. We knew lots of women who were pursuing music in a semi or fully professional capacity as independent creators but wanted a sounding board/think tank for musical collaboration, advice, networking and sharing expertise. While the group no longer meets, it played a major role in sparking this Substack!
If you don’t have these things in your area but are missing them, start them! Other (similar) groups would be a music guild, Friday Morning Music Clubs, concert series patron groups etc.
Join Facebook Groups– There is probably already one or several for your city or region. Try searching for [your locality] + Classical Singer Network or similar or ask your local musician friends. It will usually include announcements for upcoming concerts, gig opportunities, auditions and church jobs.
Kaitlyn: This is how I get most of my sub choir jobs in DC. I’m part of several Facebook groups and check them almost daily for gig postings, particularly around holidays, around Easter and Thursday-Saturday, when people might be getting sick, needing a break or needing extra musicians. Now, I’m on several churches’ “short lists” and get regular sub calls. I’ve also gotten to sing for a random concert in PA, been recommended for other gigs and been on call for a major touring artist’s backup choir as a result of being active in these groups and doing a good job when I show up.
For more information about what to do after you’ve got the gig, read our article about The Organized Singer.
Shoot Your Shot
Cold Email/DM - If you see someone out there doing what you want to do, reach out to them! Find their contact info on their website and request coffee or find a way to learn more about what they do and how they got there.
Approach someone you admire during/after performances or in the wild. Sure, occasionally someone will be annoyed by it and not want to network with you, but then congratulations. You just found someone you DON’T want to emulate or model a career after. Those who don’t have time to discuss something in the moment are usually willing to get together later.
Ask to get coffee - A personal favorite. It’s low commitment and can be as long/short as you’d like, but lets you get to know the person more intimately. It also gives you a chance to not only get connected yourself, but learn more about others/help connect your friends and colleagues. (Kaitlyn): I recently got asked to step in as a last-minute soloist for a gig because I got coffee with someone who was connected to the venue! Plus, I have a new singing friend!
Hot take: it’s not always about money. Sometimes it’s worth working for free*
I know this is a controversial thing to say, especially in light of Brian Witkowski’s excellent articles on the growing burden/diminishing pay for musicians, but I do think it is sometimes worth strategically paying your dues to get in the room with specific people. Maybe it’s a certain director you’d like to work with but can’t get a formal audition slot with them, you’re trying to start your network in a new locality or you want the chance to learn some new rep.
Ask teacher/directors to recommend/connect you with directors/other musicians–
If you’re not already working with a teacher or coach, we highly recommend it. It’s one of the best ways to stay connected especially when you work as an independent creative. Find someone who is not only a great mentor/teacher/director, but is deeply connected and also a big cheerleader of yours who wants to help you take those next steps.
Follow up after performances/workshops
Reach out following a positive performance experience and let them know you’d like to work with them again/say positive things about your experience.
Ask for recommendation letters following a gig and share them when cold emailing.
Summer programs There are (almost) as many different summer workshops as there are types of musicians, ranging in focus, length, cost and barrier to entry (audition vs un-auditioned). While these experiences can be costly and intense, they don’t have to be and are a great way to form close relationships with other musicians quickly, that often last past the final workshop performance. YAP Tracker, Classical Singer Magazine and Early Music America are all wonderful resources for finding out about potential workshops.
Go to Concerts–This seems obvious, but is often overlooked. Attending concerts is a great way to learn more about musicians in your area. You’ll quickly learn who is deeply connected (when you see them at every concert you attend), who is involved in the types of performing you’d like to do, and whether or not you like what they create.
Plus, reading their bios is also a great way to figure out your next networking “target”, *ahem* potential friend!
Sarah: You also never know who you’ll meet there. Talk to the people around you. You may be sitting next to the performer’s Mom or spouse. You may strike up a conversation with another performer who is also hungry to start a new project.
So, no matter where you live, you’re only limited by your imagination and your attitude. We’ll leave you with this last gem:
The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work.
-Robert Kiyosaki
Xoxo,
Sarah + Kaitlyn
What are you doing to network? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
PS Don’t forget to Recommend friends! Always pay it forward. If you want others to recommend you, make sure you’re also looking out for them. If you can’t do a gig, recommend someone you know would do a great job. Talk them up with other musicians during rehearsals or while getting coffee. This does a lot for your colleagues and friends (they’ll be more likely to recommend you as well), but it also shows that you are a collaborative artist which says a lot about your character. There is enough room in the performing world for all of us, so don’t gatekeep.
Sarah Hamilton
Kaitlyn Townsend
Great post. And there indeed can be opportunities that are worth volunteering. It's all about having a clear picture of the "long game" you're really playing, what else you can leverage, what else it can unlock, etc. Something can always be reciprocated. And never be afraid to leverage the fact that you're volunteering your gifts and your time to get any worthwhile introduction that could come of it.