5 answers
Josiah
Student
Sabetha, Kansas
9
Questions
Asked
530 views
Help! I have too many (performing arts) career interests!!?
I am a very ambitious person when it comes to what I want to do as far as my career goals. But, I have so many interests and things I want to do, that I just don't know how to either pick one (or a few), or just somehow try a bit of everything or something.
Currently, I am interested in singing, acting, playing piano (solo, orchestral, accompaniment), and teaching piano/voice. I know opera combines singing and acting, so that might be an option, although I don't know how that would look with piano/piano teaching. I also think it would be really cool to be on Broadway! I could also go down the path of just focusing on teaching, and I think being a piano professor eventually would also be very interesting to me. I also could just choose between singing/acting, or piano, but that seems IMPOSSIBLE. I could never choose and abandon one of them, but I just don't know how I can make them work together. I think my main problem is that I don't know how I want my life to look like, so that's why I find it so hard to choose. If I don't do all of them, I feel like I'm abandoning opportunity in that field. Honestly, I just want to know how I could do it all if that's even possible.
Login to comment
5 answers
Catherine H
Digital Nomad
9
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
Hey Josiah,
It's great that you have so many passions! The key is to start with what naturally overlaps and build from there. Opera and Broadway both combine singing and acting, so pursuing vocal training and stage performance can keep both options open. Teaching piano and voice can be a flexible side gig while performing, allowing you to develop multiple skills without feeling like you're abandoning one. Many professionals in the arts have hybrid careers—some teach, perform, and even compose. Instead of thinking of it as choosing one thing forever, consider focusing on 1-2 primary goals at a time while keeping doors open for the rest. What excites you most right now? Start there, and your career can evolve as you gain experience and clarity.
It's great that you have so many passions! The key is to start with what naturally overlaps and build from there. Opera and Broadway both combine singing and acting, so pursuing vocal training and stage performance can keep both options open. Teaching piano and voice can be a flexible side gig while performing, allowing you to develop multiple skills without feeling like you're abandoning one. Many professionals in the arts have hybrid careers—some teach, perform, and even compose. Instead of thinking of it as choosing one thing forever, consider focusing on 1-2 primary goals at a time while keeping doors open for the rest. What excites you most right now? Start there, and your career can evolve as you gain experience and clarity.
Ken Gish
Human Factors Research
9
Answers
Wilmington, Delaware
Updated
Ken’s Answer
Josiah,
I know someone who is willing and able to help you but I have no way to connect you with her. I am not allowed to put emails here. She is a very successful pianist and she teaches at Rhode Island College. She graduated from Juilliard.
Also, my sister Barb is an accomplished singer and musician with a Music degree from Washington State University. She recently graduated from Augsburg University with another degree in Music Therapy.
I look forward to hearing from you. Let me know if want to contact either or both of them.
Ken
I know someone who is willing and able to help you but I have no way to connect you with her. I am not allowed to put emails here. She is a very successful pianist and she teaches at Rhode Island College. She graduated from Juilliard.
Also, my sister Barb is an accomplished singer and musician with a Music degree from Washington State University. She recently graduated from Augsburg University with another degree in Music Therapy.
I look forward to hearing from you. Let me know if want to contact either or both of them.
Ken
Saint P
SongWriter and Creative writer
59
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Saint’s Answer
Hi Josiah!
First off—deep breath. You're not alone in feeling this way, and honestly, I totally get what you're feeling. It’s overwhelming when your heart is pulled in so many creative directions, but that’s not a bad thing at all. It means you’re passionate, multi-talented, and full of possibilities. You don’t have to pick one forever or give anything up completely.
A lot of people in the arts blend things over time some seasons might be more about performing, others about teaching. You just start with what feels most exciting or accessible right now, and let the rest unfold naturally. You’re not closing doors you’re just walking through one at a time.
You’ve got time, and you’re allowed to grow into all of it.
You’ve got this!
Saint
First off—deep breath. You're not alone in feeling this way, and honestly, I totally get what you're feeling. It’s overwhelming when your heart is pulled in so many creative directions, but that’s not a bad thing at all. It means you’re passionate, multi-talented, and full of possibilities. You don’t have to pick one forever or give anything up completely.
A lot of people in the arts blend things over time some seasons might be more about performing, others about teaching. You just start with what feels most exciting or accessible right now, and let the rest unfold naturally. You’re not closing doors you’re just walking through one at a time.
You’ve got time, and you’re allowed to grow into all of it.
You’ve got this!
Saint
Seana Lee Wyman
Lawyer
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Seana Lee’s Answer
Josiah - I was an actress in NYC (poorly paid) for many years. Now, I am a lawyer. But honestly, they were the best years of my life. I learned so much about presenting myself, confidence, literature, art and culture in general. You have a lot of interests and that is amazing! My best advice is to go to college for something like literature or psychology, and them also try and focus on one or 2 of your artistic pursuits that you love - if you like Opera and singing, make sure there is a program at the college for you - or acting and singing. If you are still really interested while you are in college, maybe apply to transfer to a performing arts college or after you graduate, attend graduate school for your chosen profession! Being a performer is very hard, you need discipline and need to be able to take rejection with a smile. Acting jobs are difficult to find and very competitive, so you need to be able to market yourself and get up every day and do something for your career! Do some auditioning now so you can feel what that is like, get your headshots done and find a way to make ends meet (restaurant or temp office work) while you persue your dream! Good luck.
Michelle M.
Actress
2400
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Josiah !
It is awesome to know how many interests you have and once you begin training for them, you'll see that you can do them all. You will need professional training for all of them except teaching (if you mean in a school) as that will require a Masters Degree from attending college. The others can be done with private lessons. I took the academic route for a Bachelors Degree in Theatre so I highly recommend college. I also had a lot of private training as well.
The best thing to do is to wait. Yes. Let life take its' course. You will discover how easily singing, acting and playing the piano sometimes are combined. It won't happen for every show, but it most certainly can happen. You first have to become more familiar with what it's like to get the education, training and the demands of the career. While you wait for life to happen, audition for every show you possibly can at your high school. Think about facilitating a variety/talent show or write a play to do. Get started now instead of thinking about it. When we become active and take the steps, things begin.
Almost every performing artist loves doing a variety of things, in a variety of media and genres. You will get the chance to do that. Each project you will do will be completely different. One week you'll do a play. Next time it may be playing piano at a concert. Next time may be singing and dancing in a musical. This is why there is no need to worry before your time. Just focus on three things right now.
Education/Training, experience and networking. There's no getting around it. They are the catalysts that will present you with opportunities and familiarize you with the business. Start now and you'll be too busy to worry, LOL ! You can do this.
Keep in mind how much you like all of your interests and that they should not be something that causes you doubt or worry. Be involved at school and consider going to college for four years to confirm the validity of your passions. You will get a lot of support at college. You're welcome to return here to ask about the career and anything you need advice about for the career and education.
I hope this helps. Never give up and start showing audiences your talent as soon as possible ! I wish you all the best !
It is awesome to know how many interests you have and once you begin training for them, you'll see that you can do them all. You will need professional training for all of them except teaching (if you mean in a school) as that will require a Masters Degree from attending college. The others can be done with private lessons. I took the academic route for a Bachelors Degree in Theatre so I highly recommend college. I also had a lot of private training as well.
The best thing to do is to wait. Yes. Let life take its' course. You will discover how easily singing, acting and playing the piano sometimes are combined. It won't happen for every show, but it most certainly can happen. You first have to become more familiar with what it's like to get the education, training and the demands of the career. While you wait for life to happen, audition for every show you possibly can at your high school. Think about facilitating a variety/talent show or write a play to do. Get started now instead of thinking about it. When we become active and take the steps, things begin.
Almost every performing artist loves doing a variety of things, in a variety of media and genres. You will get the chance to do that. Each project you will do will be completely different. One week you'll do a play. Next time it may be playing piano at a concert. Next time may be singing and dancing in a musical. This is why there is no need to worry before your time. Just focus on three things right now.
Education/Training, experience and networking. There's no getting around it. They are the catalysts that will present you with opportunities and familiarize you with the business. Start now and you'll be too busy to worry, LOL ! You can do this.
Keep in mind how much you like all of your interests and that they should not be something that causes you doubt or worry. Be involved at school and consider going to college for four years to confirm the validity of your passions. You will get a lot of support at college. You're welcome to return here to ask about the career and anything you need advice about for the career and education.
I hope this helps. Never give up and start showing audiences your talent as soon as possible ! I wish you all the best !