Studio Class

Episode 58: Micro Action Monday - Break down your big vision

October 25th, 2021  |  21 mins 39 secs

classical singing, goals, micro actions, music business

"I want to be known for impact and known for transformation. I can’t stay in that burned out place and I don’t want you to stay there either. So, let’s commit to the big vision. Let’s commit to each other. Let’s commit to breaking down those big visions into really important tasks and not just busy work. Divas, I love you so much. If you are in that burned out place, if you are in that dark cloud place, hang on. Throw everything you can at getting out of it. I know it’s hard. I know that there are more sparkly times in front of you. They are not only in your past."

Join me for this Micro Action Monday episode where I walk you through my 20 year goal exercise. (You can buy the ebook and exercise in my store on meganihnen.com if you'd like to do this in written form!)

Episode 57: Micro Action Monday - Commit to language learning

October 18th, 2021  |  7 mins 19 secs

classical singing, language learning, music business

We always talk about micro actions on this podcast which is about chunking something down so it’s really manageable. Then, you can have this much larger experience - this really wonderful experience - of being able to converse in a language, or understand a language, or perform your best because you have this understanding. So, get in there and chunk this down. Ask yourself, “How am I going to turn language learning into a ‘micro-action’ so that I can commit to it over time?”

Episode 56: Micro Action Monday - Form a forgiveness practice

October 4th, 2021  |  12 mins 28 secs

classical singing, empathy, forgiveness, music business

Divas, in what ways are you going to be a self-compassionate singer? In what ways are you going to be more kind and empathetic and aware and understanding with the people that mean the most to you in your life? Be in a forgiveness practice and be in empathy with yourself today and let that transform your own self-worth. I promise you that work will not go to waste. I promise you that work will be transformative.

Episode 55: Micro Action Monday - Achieve flow

September 27th, 2021  |  7 mins 1 sec

confidence, micro-actions, music, self-worth

Flow is often described as a mental state in which people experience complete immersion and involvement in an activity. Things seem to happen almost effortlessly and time seems to disappear while in this state. Your micro action for today is to give yourself the gift of time to achieve this state of being. You'll be happy you did!

Episode 54: Masterclass - Odeya Nini

September 20th, 2021  |  1 hr 21 secs

classical singing, micro actions, music business, recording session

Megan welcomes vocalist/composer Odeya Nini to give this Masterclass episode of the Studio Class podcast. They talk about Odeya's deep understanding of embodiment and physicalizing sound, unraveling habits that the body stores, the importance of being in our imagination/visualization when doing voicework, and so much more.

Episode 53: Micro Action Monday - Cultivate self discipline

September 13th, 2021  |  10 mins 34 secs

auditions, classical singing, music business

"Your micro action for today is to make a commitment to accountability. It is to make a commitment to self discipline. Remember that self discipline tends to look like those small, boring, unsexy tasks. But, through that, you reach a freedom of being able to do what you want to do - being able to do what you said you were going to do."

Episode 52: Masterclass - Francesca Mondanaro

August 23rd, 2021  |  1 hr 24 mins

auditions, classical singing, music business, voice lessons

While enjoying a busy professional singing career performing lead roles with such opera companies as Deutsche Oper Berlin, Baltimore Opera, Teatro Grattacielo, Nashville Opera, Sarasota Opera, Baltimore Concert Opera, Opera Maryland and others, soprano Francesca Mondanaro found her way into teaching as her own colleagues began asking for lessons. It was a natural fit after having studied vocal pedagogy for over 20 years with her own vocal mentors, and having had a unique, challenging instrument of her own that she had to build from bottom to top, into a voice that is still hired to this day. She now teaches privately in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and online. I have been wanting to invite Francesca to give a Masterclass episode since the beginning of Studio Class. I'm so thrilled that she shared such wonderful wisdom and insights in this episode. Enjoy!

Episode 51: Masterclass - Allyssa Jones, Ashley Shabankareh, Sara Noble

August 9th, 2021  |  1 hr 21 mins

classical singing, community-building, money, music business, networking

In advance of our New Music Gathering 2021 panel on Money Mindset, I've invited my friends and colleagues to do a Masterclass episode where we talk about all things money mindset. Allyssa Jones, Ashley Shabankareh, and Sara Noble shared tons of tips, tools, and insights inside this episode. I hope you'll listen and share widely!

Episode 50: Micro Action Monday - Develop Self Awareness

July 26th, 2021  |  13 mins 6 secs

classical singing, inner work, music business

As part of this short series on self-love, worthiness, self-discipline, and more, we're tackling the subject of self-awareness today. Know thyself, divas! Knowing your motivations, needs, desires, and values helps you in big and small ways. Find out more through this episode.

Episode 49: Masterclass - Liz Pearse

July 19th, 2021  |  58 mins 52 secs

classical singing, community-building, music business, networking

Finding joy in variety, Liz Pearse is a musician of many pursuits. Liz began her exploration of the endless possibilities of the voice after a childhood spent playing any instrument she could lay hands upon. As a performer, her uniquely colorful and versatile voice has led to performances of wide-ranging works from medieval to modern, and though she is known as a specialist in contemporary vocal repertoire, she also deeply enjoys a well-aged song. I am so thrilled to feature Liz in this Masterclass episode of the Studio Class podcast!

Episode 48: Micro Action Monday - Focus on the positive

July 12th, 2021  |  12 mins 48 secs

micro-actions, mindset, practice

We've got a micro series of micro actions on the Studio Class podcast! We're talking about self-esteem, self love, worthiness, and positive thinking. Buckle up, divas, because this is some real talk.

Episode 47: Micro Action Monday - Health Insurance for Divas

June 28th, 2021  |  11 mins 3 secs

classical singing, micro-actions, music business

Finding affordable health insurance when you're self-employed or a freelancer can be intimidating. But, it is so important for musicians to have! Megan talks about some key points for those who are navigating the health insurance high seas during this Micro Action Monday episode.

You can support the creation of these Micro Action Monday episodes as well as the Masterclass episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Episode 46: Masterclass - Susan Eichhorn Young

June 24th, 2021  |  54 mins 15 secs

classical music, masterclass, opera, singing, susan eichhorn young

Susan Eichhorn Young is a Canadian soprano, actress, voice-over artist, voice teacher, and writer. Her website reads, "all things voice" and that is the truth!! It is a pleasure to welcome her as a guest for this masterclass episode where we cover Susan's feelings about "finding the singer" rather than making them "fit a mold"; how she focuses on the psyche of the artist; and how to recalibrate when your path goes a different direction than you thought it would. Susan drops so many pearls of wisdom.

Thank you to Josh, Sarah, and Chris for supporting the creation of this episode through their membership in the Sybaritic Camerata's Listening Circle!

Episode 45: Micro Action Monday - Workout like you love yourself

June 14th, 2021  |  13 mins 34 secs

classical singing, exercise, fitness

"Your body is your instrument" and I want you to take care of it with intuitive eating and intuitive movement. Studio Class is a body positive space so this episode is all about finding what YOU need in your life regarding health and wellness to be able to operate at your best.

Episode 44: Masterclass - Jillian Flexner

June 8th, 2021  |  58 mins 51 secs

classical singing, grantwriting, music business, opera

Composer, producer, and development professional, Jillian Flexner refuses to be labeled as one thing and that's exactly why I wanted her to join us for a Masterclass episode on Studio Class. Jillian Flexner is a composer, new music activist, and bassoonist. Originally from North Carolina, Jillian grew up around a diverse culture of music. In 2013, Jillian co-founded the Fresh Squeezed Opera Company, a group that continues its passion to present new operas today. Jillian received her Master’s in Business Administration from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College in 2016, and now works in Development with the Rubin Museum of Himalayan and Buddhist Art. Jillian’s music has been presented all over the United States and has been performed by many ensembles.

Episode 43: Masterclass - Dale Trumbore

May 10th, 2021  |  1 hr 1 min

classical singing, composition, interview, masterclass, music business

So thrilled to welcome composer and writer Dale Trumbore to the Studio Class Podcast for a Masterclass episode. As a composer who works frequently with words, Trumbore is passionate about setting to music poems, prose and found text by living writers. Find out more about Dale at https://www.daletrumbore.com/