Studio Class

The Sybaritic Singer

About the show

Let me be your diva sidekick when it comes to staying focused and extra sparkly in your singing career.

Megan Ihnen is a professional mezzo-soprano, teacher, writer, and arts entrepreneur who is passionate about helping other musicians and creative professionals live their best lives.

Studio Class is an outgrowth of her popular #29DaystoDiva series from The Sybaritic Singer blog. Did you feel like you simply ran out of time during studio class to talk about some of the necessary business elements of your career? Do not despair, divas! This podcast is meant for you!

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Episodes

  • Episode 42: Micro Action Monday - Study your icons

    May 3rd, 2021  |  9 mins 10 secs
    classical singing, micro-actions, music business, practice

    Your micro action for the day is to study your icons! Learn from them. A big THANK YOU to Sarah and Josh for being part of the Sybaritic Camerata Listening Circle on Patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

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    Episode 41: Micro Action Monday - Evaluate your teacher

    February 22nd, 2021  |  16 mins 39 secs
    classical singing, music business, voice lessons, voice teacher

    I have always said that voice teachers are one part instructor and two parts therapist. Singing is a very personal thing. You must trust the person you have chosen to help develop your voice as well as being an encouraging force. Here are a few areas of focus for evaluating your current teacher or finding a new voice teacher.

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    Episode 40: Masterclass - Raehann Bryce-Davis

    February 15th, 2021  |  1 hr 6 mins
    masterclass, mezzo-soprano, opera, raehann bryce-davis

    We caught up with mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis for a Masterclass episode on Studio Class as she was preparing Ariadne auf Naxos at Opera Vlaanderen. Raehann shares about how she thinks about supporting the voice, what her "5 year plan" looked like when she finished grad school, and how she's advocating for change in our field through Black Opera Alliance and more.

  • Episode 36: Micro Action Monday - Deal with your debt

    January 11th, 2021  |  9 mins 1 sec
    classical singing, debt, financial freedom, micro actions, money, music business

    Don't let debt push you out of the field before you have a chance to realize your dreams. Give yourself the gift of financial freedom.

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    Episode 35: Micro Action Monday - Spend on what you love

    December 28th, 2020  |  14 mins 35 secs
    budgeting, classical singing, micro actions, money, music business, spending

    We spend on what we think we need to get through to the next level, or get through the semester, or to just get through the overwhelmingly long days. Following a plan for your spending that supports your ultimate career plans will help relieve you from the burden of debt and constant worrying over your financial future.

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    Episode 34: Micro Action Monday - Track your income

    December 21st, 2020  |  4 mins 57 secs
    classical singing, income tracking, micro actions, music business

    Take the first step today by watching your finances. Be aware. Be proactive. Be less stressed about your money by monitoring your accounts.

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    Episode 33: Micro Action Monday - Practice professionalism

    December 14th, 2020  |  9 mins 16 secs
    classical singing, micro actions, music business, professionalism

    Here are some tips to bring your best self to the rehearsal space and beyond.

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    Episode 39: Micro Action Monday - Diva Affirmations

    December 7th, 2020  |  22 mins 12 secs
    affirmations, guided meditation, micro-actions, practice, self-esteem, singing

    I really enjoy certain guided meditations and affirmations and I love them in audio form for when I’m walking the dog or getting ready. I find that when I’m listening to my affirmations, my brain can really run wild “decorating the idea” - I love to embellish it and add on to it the more I listen. Anyway, here is my affirmations for divas track for you to listen to whenever you might need a little more oomph.

  • Episode 32: Micro Action Monday - See the path between...

    November 30th, 2020  |  7 mins 52 secs
    classical singing, goal setting, micro actions, music business

    There's no such thing as an overnight sensation. Practice imagining everything amazing that could be on your path between here and your overall goals.

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    Episode 31: Micro Action Monday - Spiff up your website

    November 23rd, 2020  |  15 mins 10 secs
    classical singing, micro actions, music business, singer website

    Your challenge is to create an accurate and exciting web presence.

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    Episode 30: Micro Action Monday - Get new headshots

    November 16th, 2020  |  8 mins 11 secs
    classical singing, headshots, micro actions, music business

    Headshots are our calling cards. It should look like you and hint at aspects of your personality that you will bring to the stage.

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    Episode 38: Masterclass - Sharin Apostolou MacPherson & Ryan MacPherson

    November 9th, 2020  |  1 hr 30 mins
    classical singing, masterclass, music business, opera

    It's true! The #KiltedOlive couple is here for a Studio Class Masterclass. Soprano Sharin Apostolou MacPherson and tenor Ryan MacPherson talk about building musical interpretive power, knowing when it's time to leave professional singing, and what's keeping them hopeful right now.

  • Episode 29: Micro Action Monday - Audition like a diva

    November 2nd, 2020  |  17 mins 5 secs
    auditions, classical singing, music business

    The most sublime comment I have ever heard from an audition panel was, “Wow. She really came to play…” Simply put, the audition is the best of your preparation actualized. The better the preparation – the better the audition.

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    Episode 28: Micro Action Monday - Schedule a recording

    October 26th, 2020  |  9 mins 38 secs
    classical singing, micro actions, music business, recording session

    Having good audio and video documentation is a necessity in this business. Schedule your next recording session today.

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    Episode 27: Micro Action Monday - Read competitively

    October 19th, 2020  |  7 mins 4 secs
    classical singing, community-building, music business, networking

    "I read for growth, firmly believing the what you are today and what you will be in five years depends on two things: the people you meet and the books you read." - Twyla Tharp - The Creative Habit

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    Episode 37: Fri-YAY - Applied Business Lessons

    October 14th, 2020  |  12 mins 28 secs
    arts coaching, classical singing, micro actions, music business

    Megan shares the audio from a recent Fri-YAY video all about the importance of "applied business lessons." You might have spent upwards of $20,000 in applied lessons in voice, composition, or on your instrument. How much have you invested in your business knowledge?