Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Balmaceda. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kelly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
The most challenging and somewhat unexpected problem I’ve encountered in my career has been having to move every 2-3 years for my spouse’s career and starting over in a completely new city and community/cultural environment. “Traditional” vocal performance careers generally follow a golden path; undergrad degree, summer programs, master’s degree, young artist programs, countless auditions, and hopefully lots of work! However, when one marries a man in the military it looks a little more like: undergrad degree, auditions and music outreach work in NYC, (move to a new state) followed by professional gigs in TX, starting and running an opera company at 24, (move again) master’s degree, (move 2 more times) University adjunct positions and performance gigs, (move again) rural small town and starting a music school to cultivate an audience for professional performances, followed by moving to a new state in the middle of a pandemic…. I have learned to meet community members, see what the cultural environment is like, and put myself out there: audition and participate in any musical opportunity available and if there are none, create it myself! After 15 years of moving around the country I have found that I thrive in the challenge of sharing music with all ages, demographics, and communities regardless of the opportunities available upon arrival.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a performer, educator, and entrepreneur. What does that mean? What does that mean? As early as 2nd grade, I knew I wanted to be a “singer and a dancer.” Little did I know my life wouldn’t follow a traditional performance trajectory… My career has been very non-traditional as I attempt to balance both a career and personal life (military spouse and mom of 2 busy boys). Life on the move has forced me to pursue every opportunity available to me and when none are available CREATE it myself. As expected, High School and College were filled with numerous theatrical and operatic performances. After graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music, I moved to the BIG city, to realize my dreams of Broadway. However, my first audition landed me a job as a performer for a children’s music program. It wasn’t long before I had the incredible fortune to work as a teaching artist with The Metropolitan Opera Guild. These educational/performance opportunities sparked in me a love of educational outreach. Shortly after, I married a man in the USCG and embarked on a new journey…performer, educator, AND military spouse. I adopted the new phrase, “Home is wherever the Coast Guard sends us.” Our first move to Corpus Christi, TX would launch me into opportunities I’d never dreamed. At the young age of 24, I founded and directed my first company, Sparkling City Light Opera (SCLO). I produced 6 productions a year in addition to a HUGE educational outreach program. I ran a thriving Private Voice Studio of nearly 30 students, all while continuing to perform regionally and locally and pursue a Master’s Degree in Performance. 5 years later, the CG decided that Savannah, GA would be our new home. I accepted a voice faculty position at Georgia Southern University, stepped in as Interim Music Director at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, and co-founded an intensive vocal arts workshop for young/emerging singers, CANTARE Workshop. A few more moves and I added another university faculty position to my resumé, the creation of another concert series, and developed a music business/curriculum for infants and toddler, Mini MAESTROS. It was a great success and spread to multiple locations in schools and community centers. Another move brought us to the beautiful coastal community of Elizabeth City, NC. I created a cultural vibrancy that had not existed in over 100 years, literally. With the formation of MUSIC off MAIN, I produced live, professional opera to sold out audiences, engaged 150 students of all ages (weekly) in superior music classes, workshops, ensembles, and lessons, and collaborated with national, regional, and local artists and businesses to produce chamber music, recitals, and other performances in traditional and non-traditional venues to make classical music accessible to ALL audiences. Most recently, yet another move in the middle of a pandemic brought us to Tampa, FL. I am currently on the voice faculty at University of Tampa, have co-created a new opera, ALICE, An Operatic Wonderland with Amy Scurria and Zane Corriher, and continue to run MUSIC off MAIN offering professional productions and superior musical education opportunities.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
As a classical performing artist I have dealt with insecurity, rejection, and declining financial support/audience since my first audition. It certainly would be easier to find a different profession that pays a lot more. However, I was once challenged, “Do I love singing more than I am afraid of the rejection?” followed by encouragement that, “I have a unique gift to offer, something different from every other artist.” (We all do!) With these words in the back of my mind, I continue to sing with the goal of sharing beautiful music with ALL of the world, not just an elite few. I believe music offers something for everyone, if given the chance to experience it. I believe my dream of performing changed to educating and creating performances that are accessible to all ages and demographics, making the joy I feel on stage as a performer even greater!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
It is my hope that our society will better value the arts and artists that enrich our communities with humanity and joy! I believe it begins with the youngest in our society. Children need to be exposed and experience good art at an early age. School systems need to fund music, art, and drama programs not only because of the cultural/interdisciplinary experience, but because studies show that the brain develops differently in people studying music and instruments, enhancing classroom learning. Additionally, more funding needs to be available to arts organizations supporting artists and the creation of new art. Our audiences are declining because they have not been exposed at an early age and cannot relate or appreciate the high quality programming that is taking place. I may get in trouble for saying this, but I also believe companies and organizations are at fault for presenting the same programs from composers and artists from more than 100 years ago. We need to begin creating art for our generation and providing venues for those artists to share their gifts.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KellyBalmaceda.com
Image Credits
Holly Johnson Luther Leah Simpson