We recently connected with Stephen Powell and have shared our conversation below.

Stephen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Since graduating from Northwestern University in 1986 (Bachelors in Theory & Composition, piano emphasis) I have made my living as a musical artist. I sang in Choruses (Chicago Symphony Chorus and Grant Park Chorus); played the piano for voice lessons, voice recitals, auditions, recordings, competitions, educational programs; was an assistant conductor and accompanist with the Chicago Children’s Choir; gave piano lessons; had a wedding band; sang and played for weddings and receptions; owned and ran my own Christmas Caroling business; mowed the lawn and did yard work for my first voice teacher Norman Gulbrandsen in exchange for voice lessons – you name it, I did it to make a living. In 1990 I decided to pursue a career as an Opera Singer, so I went to DePaul University and earned my Masters and Certificate degrees in Vocal Performance. I was a member of the Young Artists Program at the Lyric Opera of Chicago from 1993 – 1995. In 1995 I began my full-time career as an independent contractor and have made my living as a singer ever since. In 2015 I joined the faculty of the Mannes School of Music at The New School in New York City, soon to begin my 9th year there as a Professor of Voice.

There is no one path to success as a musician. We all make our way as best we can with the skills we possess, learn, and polish. I’m very pleased with the progression and choices I’ve made in my life, most of them were the right choices at the right time. Some of course were not, but that’s true for everyone. The best outcomes are attained by learning from our mistakes and persevering through our own will and determination – there is no substitute for that – and one must be willing and able to take risks, and have an extremely strong work ethic. Talent is never enough.

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

I knew from a young age that music would be my life. I began piano lessons at age 6, sang in church and school choirs, had roles in the high school musicals, played saxophone in Stage Band and Marching Band, clarinet in Concert Band, was in a rock band that recorded some original music, and wrote pop songs with my brother. My mom loved opera, my dad loved big band and dixieland jazz, and my older brother and sister had records of all the great pop and rock artists of the 60’s and 70’s. So I had a fantastic array of musical influences, which has given me a love for all genres of music.

In my previous answer I gave you my career track as an adult, but I will say that what we experience in our childhood has the largest impact on our career choices. No matter what the field of study, the opportunity, support, and desire we feel to pursue our dreams in the field we love as children growing up, discovering who we are, and whether or not we have permission and the environment to explore ourselves, is a huge factor in following what gives us joy and not just what makes money. I was lucky to have a very supportive family and some God-given talent. I was also willing to try new things and seek out different people with different backgrounds and stories from my own, which gave me an education and network that I otherwise would have missed. One of the great joys of my profession is the variety of people I meet and work with from all over the world.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I was 2, I lost my left eye to an accident with our family cat. I’ve never spoken of this publicly before, but because of the nature of this question and the fact that I’m 58 years old and have a strong desire to help others, I can say that this incident early in my life made me a different person than I otherwise would have been. I was teased and bullied a lot growing up because I was different. My parents, being concerned for the health of my good eye, made me wear glasses with side pieces, like those worn in shop class. And because my good eye had very poor vision, I had thick lenses with heavy plastic frames. I was the typical kid with the coke-bottle lenses that could barely see. And this was the 60’s and 70’s, and kids can be cruel.

And yet I wanted to perform and share the joy of music with others onstage in front of an audience. I didn’t know anyone else like me, and honestly have met very few people in my entire life with this same condition. But I think it made me a better person. A kinder, more compassionate person. I really saw other people who were ‘different’, whether it be someone who was shy, or from a different place, or who spoke a different language, or had a different skin color. I believe being different actually helped me gain confidence and a fighting spirit, sticking up for myself and for people who aren’t as fortunate, whatever the circumstances of their birth and life might be. And in my profession you are constantly being judged and criticized, much of the time publicly, so you need a very thick skin and a strong belief in who you are and what you have to say.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To share the joy of music with others, and to help young singers hone their craft so they can share who they are at a very high level of technical and artistic prowess, so the tremendous experience that is opera can continue to flourish and be appreciated for the incredible art form that it is.

To create safe spaces dedicated to listening and learning, and for people to feel comfortable opening up to each other so we can have a better understanding of our similarities and our differences. To be a better human being with the time I have left.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stephenpowell.us
• Instagram: @stephenpowellbaritone
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.powell.900
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-powell-2a8b86b
• Youtube: stephenpowellbariton
• Other: SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/artist/3KEd3caGaEIma5PJ0uCaL9