What next?

Stop!! Think about where you are right this second in your career plan (hopefully you have a "plan" - if not, this is a good time to think about that).
Once you've assessed where you are, ask yourself if you have the next right audition for that timeline.
Two scenarios:
1. You've got some good Young Artist Program experience under your belt, a few regional roles, but no management - is this the time to contact or recontact a manager to hear you?
Perhaps so - if you don't have that audition lined up, look into it.

2. You've hit a bit of a wall with auditions, and you feel like some technical work out of the pressure of the professional audition circuit makes sense, and you've considered looking into an artist diploma program to help make that next step happen. Have you explored this? If not, now is the time to do it!

You see my point - don't let too much time elapse between taking "snapshots" of where you are, so that you can take the proactive steps that are needed.

Know when to say yes....

I know it's been a while, and I have a backlog of things to say purely audition related, but I've come across a couple of situations lately, that move me to write on this now.
I know that many people reading this will say, "gee, I'd love to have the possibility of knowing when to say yes".
But the scenario I've run into in a couple different contexts is, generally, this:

A singer is offered a contract, either YAP or main stage, that either on their own counsel or others, he or she turns down, because:
a. doesn't pay enough
b. keeps them out of the mainstream
c. something better might come along while he or she is doing the particular job being offered.

While I understand that sometimes money is absolutely the bottom line, I would encourage you to consider the following before turning down an offer that may, on the surface, look underpowered.

a. Will the offer give you main stage experience and a role for your resume that will be remembered long after the perceived paltry paycheck is forgotten?
b. Will performing the small part of chorus role create a connection with the company or director that will lead to more lucrative and satisfying employment in the future?
c. Is turning down this offer in effect a bridge burning?
d. Does the person offering you employment have connections with other companies that can open doors that you probably cannot open yourself?

Please answer the above questions for yourself before you make any decision on a job offer, whatever its attraction at first sight.

Back at last!

Well, Rigoletto is over, my masterclass at the Classical Singer Convention went very well, and added some ideas to my head, and now I'm headed out to LA in two days for the Opera America Convention!
However, by tomorrow, I will be adding some food for thought here!