What I Gained From Opera Roanoke

I started my administrative apprenticeship in mid-June with Opera Roanoke in hopes of gaining new experiences, relationships, and ultimately a bachelor degree in music business. Now that it's completed, I thought I would wrap up my blog and give you an overall perspective of my time there.

If you have been reading and keeping up with my posts, I think you already have an idea of what my experiences were like. If you haven't been reading, well, the posts are still there... Anyway, I truly value the skills I obtained at Opera Roanoke. I've talked about them previously, but let's recap, shall we?

From day one, and throughout the two months there, I was organizing. I went through filing cabinets, storage closets, desks, and more closets. Just like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it gets. I organized so much that it inspired me to get myself more organized. Now I make sure everything is in my planner (even during the summer) and in folders (thanks Liz, it really does work).

I learned not too put too many documents in an electric hole punch or a shredder. We've all been there. I think this one is self-explanatory.

I only did a few, but deposits are apart of everyday transactions for a business (we hope) whether it be nonprofit or for-profit. I learned quickly that money isn't deposited without the proper paper trail and records. They have to go through accounting and be filed correctly. Artists and musicians particularly may not realize this, but might need to at some point. This is an example of how an office job isn't as common sense as it may seem.

Spinning wheels. Don't get them wet or feed them after midnight.

At Opera Roanoke, I was able to further my communication skills. Being in meetings and having to carry myself in conversation with patrons and board members challenged me in my abilities. I had good communication skills before I started, but now I have better ones.

Not only did I gain skills for my future, I learned somethings about myself with the help of Liz and Opera Roanoke. I realized what I'm good at, and where my strengths are. I was aware that I'm a generally enthusiastic person, but didn't realize how that can go a long way in the business world. I also became aware of my areas that need improvement, like my need to people please. I avoid being assertive or sassy and let people walk over me to make them happy. I knew this, but I needed to here it from a business perspective.

The best part of everything I gained from Opera Roanoke is that I can take it with me, my experiences, relationships, and skills, as I leave for graduate school at Colorado State. I can not only apply it to graduate school, but to my many endeavors to come in wherever my career as a musician may take me. That's the beauty and the point of an internship. I may not be going into arts administration, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that I come out on the other side with experiences that will prepare me for the future. Opera Roanoke helped me do this, and I couldn't be happier that I found what I needed through them.

Advice for the young adults starting their careers in the arts. Work for a nonprofit, at least for a short period if anything. Their employees work the hardest and are most passionate about what they do. If they were doing it for the money, they would find somewhere else to work. You'll get the best experience from that type of organization and the persons who work for them. ...I have to add also that great teachers coincide with the above. Add it's usually the great teachers that do this type of work.

It has been a pleasure, readers! I hope to start another blog soon on the journey of a young percussionist. Say tuned!

-Matt

We're So Glamorous

Working in the arts, especially for an opera organization, is soooo GLAMOROUS. We're up in here with fur coats and Louboutin heels, sipping on expensive champagne all while making opera happen. Oh and did I mention the butler? And that each of us have a personal assistant? Ahh, the life of an arts administrator...

Just kidding everyone. This is far from what the life in the arts is like, and it is a myth that our work is glamorous and envied (well glamorous in a general definition... I like to think my life is glamorous to me anyway). We may make it look fabulous and perfect on stage, but a real taste of the arts happens behind the scenes.

So, let me clear some things up. You'll see that our work at Opera Roanoke is far from the above description.

- We have someone move our piano for us, when needed.

We wish. But when money has to be spent in far more wiser investments, we move our piano on our own... That or there's no piano.

- You're famous, right? I mean you have to be, you work at the opera.

Pavarotti is famous (if you don't know who that is, look him up). The people doing the "dirty" work between productions who are off stage or in the audience are not famous. Have you ever heard of that one famous arts administrator? Though anyone, including supporters, involved in making a production or performance happen is responsible for the success and the fame.

-Can't you hire someone for that?

Sure, if you're a for-profit company or even a large nonprofit organization you can hire someone to knock out the odd jobs that need to be done, but if you can put that money into better use (which of course any nonprofit can) we do it ourselves. Just today we had to move Opera Roanoke's furniture out of our production office at the Jefferson Center (we're consolidating), and move everything to our offices on Church Avenue. We did it ourselves, down to the very last spinning wheel. It saves money. Besides, who else is going to do it? I think you would be surprised that all people who work for arts organizations have to take on more than a few tasks(elbow grease and all) outside of their job description.

- We play music all day long and then go home at 5pm.

Wrong-o. Playing, singing, and practicing are only half of the responsibilities of a musician. There's a lot more that has to get done during the day like emails, phone calls, meetings, and trips to the post office. And a 9-5 day? What's that? It may work for Dolly Parton, but not for us.

-Your "to do" list never ends? Why? You work in the arts...

Think of a to do list that never ends and then double that. It is quite the misconception that we have very little to do. I think it is hard for the general public to understand that because we're musicians, we're not as busy as everyone else. I don't blame them for thinking that because usually they're not professional musicians or work in arts administration. Just as we do not work in their field. But just to let the world know, it's not all fun and games. Most of what we do makes us wish that there were more hours in the day.

Now, I don't want my readers thinking that I am complaining, because I love what I do and I wouldn't change anything. But I do think it is a stereotype to think that our work is glamorous and easy. What we do only happens because we do it ourselves with hard work and long hours. At some point every artist has to make that choice... Is this life for me? If you are truly passionate then all of the above doesn't matter. You just do it anyway.

Until next time!

-Matt 

Wait... But I'm a Percussionist

I'm not sure if I have told you previously, but I am a classical percussion. I play solo repertoire, chamber music, and large ensemble literature on various percussion instruments; you name it, I've probably played it. As an instrumentalist, it's easy to have an outside perspective of Opera Roanoke. Before my time here the only opera I had been exposed to was in music history class. We only studied the surface (and maybe a little deeper than that) of the genre, not knowing certain specifics that are common knowledge for opera singers. Even though I'm only the administrative apprentice, I can't help but be surrounded by opera, as you could imagine.

 Because I am around the singers, performances, and staff at Opera Roanoke, it's become possible for me to pick up on things that I didn't learn in music history. Like the fact that there are many, many vocal types with subcategories inside categories all sang by different character types. Or that there is a difference in the responsibilities of a stage director and an artistic director. Do all instrumentalists know these details? I suppose they do if they really enjoy opera, but what about those who don't?

Instrumentalists may rarely think about vocalists and vise-versa. In fact, the case is often that they don't get along all the time. Why? Colliding personalities perhaps? Who knows for sure... But I think embracing different areas of your art is important in musical growth and knowledge. Whether we "drummers" like opera or not doesn't matter. It is the duty of musicians, instrumentalists and vocalists alike, to emerge ourselves into other forms and genres of music; only then can we grow outside the boundaries of our voices or instruments. 

Opera Roanoke has allowed me to dip my toes, perhaps even my feet, a little further into the large ocean that is opera. I've been to performances and events, become friends with the apprentices, and have gone through so many articles, music, props, and costumes that it is practically impossible for me to have come out of this experience without any additional knowledge of opera than I already had. Not to mention how much more time I have to listen to the morning classics on the local public radio station driving between Roanoke and Radford.

With that being said, when you're listening to music, try listening to something that's way outside of your comfort zone. I know it's easier said than done. I often listen to tons of marimba music and symphonies without remembering to expand my noggin by listening to something else. I once heard that good art should make you feel uncomfortable and awkward at first. Well then, musicians, I suppose the same applies to us. If you're listening to something and it makes you uncomfortable, turn it up... You must be doing it right.

5 Ways Opera Roanoke Operates Differently

Working at Opera Roanoke has given me a fairly vivid perspective of how things are done in a nonprofit arts organization. I've learned what goes on inside and outside of the office. However, I've also worked for some for-profit, non-arts organizations. I think the general public would be surprised of the differences between these two dynamic ways of operating.

Here are 5 ways Opera Roanoke along with most nonprofit arts organizations are operating differently...

1. We thrive on donors.
We at the opera get excited in the office when we have a few donations come in, especially if it's a major check. Why do we get excited? Because they are such a significant source of income. Without donors and mostly individual donors, we do not go on. For a sole proprietor, for example, income is probably coming from a service or retail. Most nonprofit arts organizations' income is used for the art itself so that the show may go on, and is provided by the folks who want to see it go on.

2. "You had one job" says no one at Opera Roanoke.
Here in the office, no one has just one job. We have Scott and Liz full time and apprentice artist, Asherah, who works part time because it is impossible to run everything with just two people. The also have me until July 31. Scott is our artistic director, but he's also helping with operations and teaching. Liz is our director of operations, but she, as well as Scott, is also doing fundraising, marketing and promotions, social media, accounting, and anything else you can think of. Granted, we do have the Center in the Square's help with a lot of this, but initially it comes back to us. Why does this happen? Opera Roanoke has to take into consideration that we do not have the means to pay a large staff.  So, three people are doing the job of five or six individuals. This is becoming more and more common in the arts world.

3. Everyday is a learning experience.
Did I know how to do everything I've been doing at Opera Roanoke? Of course not. Did I figure it out? You bet ya. Because we don't have a full staff, we have to learn how to be self-sufficient. Even Scott and Liz must always be learning to keep things running and going smoothly. Nonprofit arts have a way of keeping you alert, on your toes, and forever learning. Personally, working at the opera has also helped me learn about opera, and how opera singers can have quite the eccentric personalities.

4. We can be ourselves, while being oh so professional.
I'm not saying that this is solely a fact of nonprofit arts organizations, but here at Opera Roanoke, we like to be chatty kathies and joke around and for some of us be nerds... It keeps the atmosphere alive and the work flow going. At the end of the day, we know what we're here for and how to get things completed.

5. We have apprentices instead of interns.
Apprentices are here to obtain real experiences in their careers. There are apprentice artists who perform and take lessons, and every summer there is an administrative apprentice on staff learning operations. Opera Roanoke does not have interns because we can get our own coffee.

**Bonus 6. We have a severed head.

Matt the Interior Designer

Hello folks! Lovely rainy day here at Opera Roanoke... 

Today's post is not nearly as enthralling as yesterdays, but I feel it is my duty as Administrative Apprentice Closet Organizing Interior Designer Extraordinaire to keep you updated on what I'm doing in the office. Because I know how you are always biting your nails, waiting for a post and an update. Never fear, you can relax now.

For the past two days, I've been turning our receptionist desk and copying/mailing space into something that looks inviting. Before my rearrangement, one might think the space was too cluttered and unnecessary because we don't actually have a receptionist who needs all the stuff we had in that corner. So I did some condensing by moving things that could fit in the supply closet (which I also did some touching up on). I moved our "waiting room," which was a line of chairs down our hallway, in front of our windows beside the door to the office, which by the way, I didn't think would work but in fact did. I made the copying area more user friendly by arranging envelopes, supplies, and paper along one wall. Now the space looks more aesthetically pleasing when you walk in the door. I like to think I have the magic touch (hehe).

And yes, now that you ask, I do have some advice from this task, something that I use in general furniture rearrangement... If you want an idea to work, but don't think it's going to work, just try it... You'll be surprised. And if you're not and it doesn't work at all, put it back.

I wish I had thought to take some "before" photos, but at least I have the "after!" 

Until Next Time!

-Matt

My Top 15 Reasons Why Opera Roanoke is the Best Place to Intern

Hey guys! Interning at Opera Roanoke is and has been fantabulous (yes, in my dictionary, which is full of "real" words, fantabulous is most certainly a word - the only word that can properly emphasize being fantastic and fabulous at the same time).

Here are 15 reasons why:

1. The work environment is productive, yet relaxed and fun. Isn't that what we're all looking for in a career?

2. We have a severed head.

3. This isn't just an internship where you make coffee for everyone and do monotonous tasks all day. Opera Roanoke asks for my input, gives me real projects, and makes me feel like my voice matters (hehe).

4. Your boss asks you to watch "Office Space" for a research project.

5. Your boss shares your love for kitties and bunnies. Who doesn't like kitties and bunnies?
Here are a few pics of kitties and bunnies:

6. Hearing opera singers all the time gives you a new appreciation for the art. Before interning at Opera Roanoke, as a percussionist, opera wasn't my thing. But now, I can understand why it is so complex, musical, and entertaining.

7. If you like closet organizing, this is the place to be. I can put closet organizing on my resume and sleep soundly at night knowing that I am completely confident in my skills.

8. You can take selfies at work for blogging.
#LetMeTakeASelfie

9. Because Spinning Wheels

10. When organizing, you can play dress up (if you have no shame like me).
Here are a few of my favorite moments of dress up:

11. Opera Roanoke teaches you that "miscellaneous" is not a useful word. Ambiguity in the work place is not organization.

12. Going to the bank involves delicious mint coated chocolates that I have never encountered anywhere else.

13. Because we have these awesome coloring sheets promoting Opera Roanoke's upcoming productions if you come to an event.

14. You work with fabulous people, such as these folks...

15. Selfie

Until next time!
-Matt

"A Blog About Blogging," said the Blogger

Hello friends and readers! I'm back with another post about my experiences as Opera Roanoke's Administrative Apprentice. As I sat at my desk today thinking about a topic to write about, I had the thought "man, since I've been working at Opera Roanoke, I've become a pretty avid blogger." And to be honest, I never blogged before starting here. During my first few days here, Liz came to me asking if I could blog about my experiences here. We both agreed that my writing could act as a portal for the world (locally and internationally, I do have a few readers in Turkey and Germany) to get an inside perspective on how a small nonprofit, such as Opera Roanoke, does business. Believe it or not, it never came to me that I would actually enjoy writing on such a personal level. However, this blog has given not only my readers a perspective, but a new one of my own.

Blogging for Opera Roanoke has challenged me to channel my inner writer. I'm convinced that my writing skills have evolved over this short period of time, pushing my creativity and my use of Google. Frankly, I used to dread creative writing. I would procrastinate and definitely not give it my all, though I've always been moderately good at technical writing/research. When asked if I could blog, I realized that this could be a new opportunity to find writing exciting, to find my voice. And I believe I have found it.

My thought process on writing my posts is very simple. I conjure up a topic and let my fingers do the rest. For me, there is no need for an outline or planning. I never follow my plan anyway. It's easiest for me to let the words flow from my brain to my hands to the computer screen. Before starting this blog it was quite possible that I was trying too hard, analyzing every sentence and word.

So to tie this in with Opera Roanoke, I was given the job to write, in which the organization gains followers and promotion (on a small scale, but still on the scale), in return I gain better writing and communication skills. If it hadn't been for the opera, it could have been many years before I had discovered my potential in such an unexpected medium. 

I haven't given it much thought, but I think I will continue to blog after my time at Opera Roanoke has come to an end. As long as people will listen, I'll talk.

Until next time,

-Matt