Anyone landing on this blog probably already knows that singing can influence many areas of life for the better. Just like exercise, healthy eating, conscious breathing, meditation, etc., singing is (or would be) a great source of the precious things in life such as health, youthfulness, joy, and connection – a simple tool for anyone who takes advantage of it.
For many years, we’ve been used to experiencing singing mainly as a consumer good, but now awareness of the effects and benefits of singing is enjoying a building revival. The demand for experiences and techniques that use singing as a means of self-development, self-help, and healing is increasing. Career prospects in the field of singing are therefore increasingly better, more versatile, and combinable, and singing itself is not only a valuable but also economically interesting growth market.
Start thinking of your passion in terms of supply and demand and you will open many doors for yourself. You’ll find you can incorporate your passion into your life not only privately but also professionally. In this article, we’ll show you a selection of interesting careers in the field of singing.
The underestimated potential for singing in the private sector:
Why the private sector offers more opportunities
The private sector has an enormous range of potential students that goes far beyond what public schools can cover. From beginners to professional singers, you’ll find need at every level.
Individual needs vs. fixed curriculum
Most singers want to develop their voice for personal purposes or are musical artists with specific needs. However, traditional training programs are often geared towards shaping singers as "reliable but interchangeable instruments," such as for choral or operatic performances. Such training programs often neglect core areas that are crucial for modern vocal artists.
Specialization in modern singing: challenges and opportunities
While classical and jazz vocal training programs are highly professional and demanding, they often do not cover the broad range of skills required for the modern vocal field. As a result, singers who have trained in these specialized genres often find themselves in demand in the contemporary sector, outside of their trained field.
Switching from a conventional to an individually oriented teaching method is often a challenge. Skills and techniques acquired through traditional training are not always directly applicable to the specific needs of a private clientele. In addition, traditional training approaches often ignore important aspects, such as the emotional and psychological dimension of singing.
Rooted Singing: The bridge between tradition and modernity
Rooted Singing is a training program that closes this gap. It aims to competently meet the needs of the private sector and provide graduates with all the tools they need to establish their own individualized services in this growing market. This opens up an attractive alternative to the competitive battle for limited apprenticeships in the public sector and is also more lucrative. To keep the standards high for this program, as with any reputable course of study, final certification is required. Combined with the international branding and reputation of the brand, this gives graduates additional competitive advantages to help them realize their singing dream job.
In sum, private singing lessons offer a wealth of opportunities that are not available in traditional, publicly funded institutions. The key to success in the private sector is flexibility and your ability to cater to individual needs.
Here are 3 career prospects in Singing:
1. Vocal coaching & singing lessons
Vocal coaching means you must meet a student’s demand for singing-related knowledge, including teaching the appropriate techniques for breathing, sound, rhythm, and harmony. What’s more, you offer your clients a protected space for consciously experiencing and living out singing.
Popular options: Vocal coach, singing teacher, holistic vocal coach, individual lessons, group courses, themed vocal workshops, choir
Self-employment & required know-how: If you see yourself as a singing teacher at a conservatory, for example, or if you would like to be well paid as a (temporary) music teacher at state schools, there is no way around a state-recognized education. If, on the other hand, you don't want to be trapped in strict curricula, but would like to offer your expertise in a more individual, targeted, and perhaps even holistic way, then self-employment as a vocal coach is the right move for you.
Not only will you benefit from the increasing demand for individual and modern vocal coaching, but you don't need any state-recognized training to do so. That said, you are offering yourself as a professional in the field of singing and therefore bear a great deal of responsibility for the voice of your protégés. You should therefore know all about the various aspects of voice training and be able to master them yourself. It’s also important for you to understand lesson design as a craft, to design your classroom set-up professionally, and to be comfortable in your role as a coach and freelancer (and therefore entrepreneur).
Tip for aspiring vocal coaches: Narrow down the group of potential students your offer is suited to and what exactly your service includes (or does not include) and make sure you have a clear price structure and set of rules.
Recommended ROOTED SINGING® training: "Education" or "Education Pro" with teaching content such as: voice training, musical orientation, psychology for singers, access to and expression of emotions, personal style, confidence in the role of coach (including classroom and lesson design), know-how for self-employment, and much more.
2. Singer in the service sector
With this offer you serve the demand for entertainment through singing and music for events and celebrations. You provide the musical accompaniment for certain celebratory moments.
Popular options: Wedding singer, event singer, singer for birthdays, singer for funeral service, band singer
Self-employment & required know-how: There are no state employers in this field and state-recognized training usually does not give you an advantage with agencies for event and wedding music, for example. Important know-how means knowledge of (mostly modern) singing, including performance skills, marketing and creating a concrete service offering, correspondence & order processing, know-how about self-employment (e.g. forms, rules, structures, and accounting) and musical set-up.
Tip for aspiring singers in the service sector: Know your target group! This starts with the selection of your repertoire. Find yourself in your role as a service provider, from appearance to clear service offering and price structure.
Recommended ROOTED SINGING® training: "Experience" for vocal and musical confidence, or "Education" or "Education Pro" for know-how in self-employment and especially if a combination with the field of vocal coaching is possible.
3. Instructor with a voice therapy approach
In this area, you deliver experiences that use music and singing as a beneficial and/or therapeutic tool.
Popular options: Retreats and group courses, meditations, Shakra Healing, breath and sound therapy, voice and singing bowl therapy, birth preparation, stress management courses, meditative singing, mantra singing, om chanting, epigenetic coach
Self-employment & required know-how: This professional field is perfect for utilizing distinct, individual knowledge and interests in additional connection with the voice. The demand for experiences with a voice and sound therapy approach is growing steadily.
Tip for aspiring instructors with a voice therapy approach: Recognize how you can combine your own individual set of skills and talents and what specific services you could design. If you want to reach people with your services, check what demand there is in the areas that interest you.
Recommended ROOTED SINGING® training: "Experience" for vocal and musical confidence, or "Education" or "Education Pro" for know-how in self-employment, the unifying effect of singing, and the health benefits.
