One theme that has come up a lot in my studio in the past few months is that of making a career in music as a singer. As someone who has built her own multifaceted business from scratch, it’s a topic that I have spent a lot of time thinking about, so I thought I’d share some discoveries I’ve made, lessons I’ve learned, and any advice I can give on the subject.
When I first started as an undergraduate student in voice performance, many years ago, my idea of what it meant to have a career in singing was very narrow. My peers and I were aspiring opera singers, longing to make it big on the Metropolitan Opera stage … or perhaps get hired by an opera company in Europe! We had little concept of the odds stacked against us and very little imagination when it came to what was possible. Our teachers were, I think, from a time when the path to a career in opera was more accessible, or perhaps we were just overly romantic teenagers! Over the years, I have watched my classmates find their own ways, whether performing professionally, branching off into adjacent fields, or abandoning music as a profession altogether. Though I am happy in my current path, I wish that as a student I had known more of my options and had had a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
To start with, there are 5 primary ways you can earn an income as a singer. Each has their advantages and disadvantages, as outlined below:
1) Performer/ gig work
a. Events or entertainment (weddings/funerals/ nursing home/ticketed event). These gigs tend to pay a higher hourly rate for the duration of the event but require more up front preparation of setlists. Be sure to factor that in (along with the typical market value of the event) when you set your rates. Since this kind of work is exhausting, it is unlikely you’d be able to manage more than 1 or 2 a week. Typically, the nicer the venue, the more money you make per gig. Work is flexible, but never guaranteed, and it takes time to build enough of a reputation to book regular work. There are also additional out-of-pocket costs such as travel and equipment. If you are in a touring band, your schedules will be extremely demanding and aren’t for homebodies, but you can often make additional income through selling merchandise, such as t-shirts or CDs. Performers may also be songwriters. For a commercial path to money and fame, aspiring singer-songwriters may choose to move to a city with ties to the industry, such as LA or Nashville, and try to eventually sign on to a record label. Making it ”big” as a performer is highly competitive and success is as dependent on luck and persistence as it is on talent.
b. Church gigs – these are regular, but have short hours so your earning potential is limited. In bigger cities, you might be paid for weekly rehearsals and Sunday services to lead your vocal section and perform solos. Not every church will have hired singer positions, but they do exist, especially if you are willing to also sing wedding or funeral services for the church. If you can also play the piano or organ you might be able to sing and play for a weekly service. Unless you are working for a very large church as its music director, it is unlikely you’d be able to make a full-time living in this job, but it’s a great part-time supplement if you don’t mind working Sunday mornings.
c. Recording artist/session singer. If you’d rather perform behind the scenes, you may be able to find work as a recording artist or session singer. Aspiring songwriters may hire you to create a demo recording of the songs they wish to sell, or you might be hired to record backup vocals on a single or album. Having the equipment and capability to record at home is useful for this path, but not necessary, especially if you live in a big city.
d. Professional choir, musical theater or opera singer. If you are someone who books these gigs, you must be good enough to stand out in a very competitive field and be prepared to travel around the country for auditions and engagements. If you book a musical theater show or opera out of state, you may have to relocate for several months leading up to the show. This avenue is also not for homebodies. It requires a lot of unpaid labor and dedication to make a living in this way. Singers who choose this track often move to a big city, such as NYC to be nearer to audition opportunities and may join a talent agency who will help find them gigs. Professional choirs will likely similarly rehearse in a big city,
e. Military band/choir – if you are interested in a military lifestyle, this job comes with standard military benefits and is very secure and stable. You would be stationed at a military base and would also go on regular performing tours around the country and overseas.
2) Teaching
a. Private studio. This route is very flexible. You can teach one-on-one lessons, group classes, workshops, or create asynchronous offerings (like warmup tracks – or whatever your imagination can dream up!) You are responsible for our own business – from marketing to scheduling to collecting payment to paying taxes. You can register as an LLC (a particularly good idea if you are teaching out of a home studio) or report income as a sole proprietor. While there are no educational standards for teaching private lessons, having a robust resume with both performance and music education will make you a more appealing option for students. You can charge whatever rates you want, though it is a good idea to pay attention to the market so you’re not over or undercharging commensurate with your experience.
b. Public school. If you work in a public school, you will likely need broader musical knowledge beyond just solo singing, including choral conducting and instrumental musicianship. Full time positions usually involve running both general music classes and ensembles. You will also need to earn a teaching certificate in music, which requires at least a bachelor’s degree in music education or equivalent. Pay isn’t great per hour, but you have access to municipal benefits and retirement and the work is very regular.
c. Higher Education. There are limited university full time voice teaching positions, and even fewer that are tenure-track. To get hired, you should have at least a master’s degree in music and significant experience teaching and performing under your belt. You should be ready to move across the country for your dream job (or else be very patient!). Adjunct positions in music are more common, but don’t tend to pay as well and lack benefits. An adjunct position can, however, be a nice supplement to irregular performance or teaching gigs. You should expect to lecture and/or teach voice lessons. You may also be asked to teach more general music classes, such as music appreciation or history.
d. Privately owned music school. If you want to teach privately, but don’t like being responsible for all the administrative tasks, you can go work for a private music school. The school will take a cut off your hourly rate (and in many cases set a rate on the lower end of the market) to cover administrative costs.
3) Music Therapist. Music therapists are licensed practitioners who provide music in a therapeutic setting to improve mental and physical outcomes. Music therapy is often used in conjunction with more traditional medical treatments. Music therapists may work at hospitals, nursing homes, private practice, or other medical facilities. Music therapies range from playing live music for the patient to assisting the patient in playing or songwriting, so therapists should be comfortable both singing and playing a variety of instruments. To practice, you are required to earn at least a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and pass a certifying board exam.
4) Songwriter/composer/ music producer. If you are creative, but aren’t interested in performing, you may be able to earn a living as a songwriter, composer, or music producer. You can write songs for other people to perform, or even jingles for commercials, and either sell them in their entirety for a one-time fee or negotiate a contract that allows you to earn royalties. Companies like taxi.com connect songwriters with singers and producers, and either have a hosting fee or charge you if someone buys your song. Music producers help singers record their songs and should have knowledge of music theory, songwriting, instrumentation, and recording technology. They may work for a larger recording studio or independently.
5) Adjacent careers. Experience as a singer can be a great background for music-adjacent careers, such as musical arts administration or radio hosting. A more science-minded singer may choose to pursue a career in speech language pathology or voice rehabilitation. Exploring music-adjacent careers can be a great way to find financial stability while still creating space for musical interests.
Many singers will choose multiple streams of income, especially since many options don’t guarantee regular income. The more skills you have, the easier it is to build a career that is a kaleidoscope of different musical elements. To really make it big in one avenue only, you must be prepared to a) be the best and b) make whatever sacrifices to lifestyle that are necessary. I have, at one time or another, pursued many of these paths. I currently have 3 primary income streams: I perform gigs both solo and with bands (I am currently in Crystal Vision, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band and recently joined Gardenhouse Collective, an original rock band), teach private lessons, and I have a regular weekly church gig where I sing and play the piano. I also have irregular lecture or workshop facilitator engagements throughout the year.
There is no right or wrong way to build a career in music – it is up to you to find a balance that works for you and pays your bills! It took me many years of hard work, a lot of external support, and both patience and persistence to get to the point where I was making a living as a musician. Next month, I will go into more detail regarding how I got to that point and the skills and knowledge you should develop if you want to have a career in music.
Am I missing any career paths? Which path appeals to you and why? Do you have any questions about building a career in music that I can answer next month? Leave a comment or shoot me a message – I’d love to hear from you.
Warmly,
Dr. Jane
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