We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karlye Whitt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Karlye, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Years ago I would drive from the city I was working in and professionally opera singing to my friend’s apartment where we would gather as many of our friends who were in town to drink, sing, and catch up on what life had to offer us at the time. It was a place of joy, nostalgia, celebration, and acceptance–something very contrary from what I was experiencing in the opera industry. I not only was singing but was also a part of the other side of the table in the industry. From both sides I witnessed the disconnect of community and the classical arts, the continuous problem to bring young and diverse audiences to the opera, and the individuals that world caters and bends itself to. After stepping away from professionally singing I thought about bringing salons to the people that never felt welcomed both in and outside of the industry and art form.

I wanted salons to be a place for artists to feel safe to have fun and not feel the pressure the opera world can bring, for the LGBTQ+ community and people of color who are still breaking their way into the industry and in the audience to feel welcome, and for anyone who has ever felt intimidated by the art form to feel like opera and the classical arts belongs to them. I myself never felt truly comfortable in the professional classical music spaces I knew I deserved to be in and have heard stories of struggle and nightmares from countless artists so I knew there was a need. We were all asking for a safe space and community with no where to go. Salons were not only a way to develop new opera audiences but a way for classical artists to be in community and support one another.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Originally from Wisconsin, I was first introduced to opera when I went to Oklahoma City University for my music degree where after only one semester as a musical theatre major would switch to vocal performance. From then on it was a whirlwind of graduating, a residency, and my operatic debut in a matter of 3 years post graduation. Currently residing in New York, I launched Salon Avec Moi in February 2024 meanwhile finishing my masters degree as a full-time MA candidate at NYU for a Master of Arts degree in Performing Arts Administration.

Salon Avec Moi is like a party to get cultured, meet someone new, and put on your best wears. Each salon has a fashion forward theme where opera gloves are always encouraged whether it be our last themes like Vampira for Halloween or Rockstar’s Lover. There’s a food spread and drinks and typically an extra activity like tattoos and is hosted at different locations like tattoo studios, fashion stores, and event spaces. Some with friends and other creatives, some just hosted on my own.

Something I’ve really loved since Salon Avec Moi began is that people do not mess around when it comes to the outfits. When you go to the opera I believe getting dressed up is a special part of the experience and I’m so happy that people have embraced that with these salons and have fun with it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I started my residency and began professionally singing I experienced an industry that made me feel incredibly small and used. Like I way a toy for everyone to present to the world. Not belonging to myself but the men that were in charge of my career. It made me feel like it was impossible to say no and I was put in uncomfortable circumstances experiencing sexual assault and harassment, and witnessed and heard of worse and similar treatment from countless women, queer people, and people of color.

When I moved to New York and decided to no longer pursue opera I pushed everyone I knew away, people who I have now come back to and have welcomed me back with open arms and I am so grateful to them and for their support. What happened to me happens to too many in the opera industry and at the time I wanted nothing to do with it. It was really painful to face. But in a way I always felt opera pulling me back as the true love of my life (as corny as that sounds) and asking for me to make it better for not only myself but others. After an incredibly dark time in my life which involved being in the lowest place in depression you can be in, realizing I was gay, getting back on track and applying to grad school, salons really became this beacon of hope for me to climb to and I did. I made it through the darkness, salons are here, and I cannot wait to see where it continues to grow.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think people can tell I am coming from a genuine place. I do not shy away from my story and encourage people to share their own. Through that I’ve connected with so many incredible people that quickly took Salon Avec Moi in their arms and supported it.

The classical arts and opera world make it so scary for individuals to tell their stories and push back on the industry to make change and I believe and hope that because I am willing to it shows that Salon Avec Moi is something special and different than what’s been offered to them before.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://salonavecmoi.com
• Instagram: salonavecmoi
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlye-whitt/
• Other: TikTok: salonavecmoi

Image Credits

Personal Photo Credits:
Dylan Vanessa

Other Salon Photo Credits:
Deirdre Alston
McKenna C. Poe