We recently connected with Zhengyingyue Huang and have shared our conversation below.
Zhengyingyue, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
As a professional musician, my journey is a mix of bittersweet moments. I incredibly love my job: As a musician and opera singer, my role is to tell stories and amplify emotions through music. We use our unique talents to show our care for our community and teach empathy for the full range of human emotions. Opera allows me to express complex emotions and narratives through a powerful blend of music, drama, and vocal technique. I am captivated by the richness of the operatic repertoire, which spans centuries and cultures, offering a unique blend of historical and contemporary narratives. Opera challenges me to push my vocal and emotional boundaries, encouraging continuous growth and mastery. The thrill of embodying different characters, each with their own unique story and emotional landscape, is both exhilarating and deeply fulfilling. This art form allows me to connect with audiences on a visceral level, evoking empathy, joy, sorrow, and reflection through my voice. I love the career I have chosen, surrounded by talented and enthusiastic musicians who share a deep love for this world. Their passion and dedication inspire me every day.
Unfortunately, I often feel unnoticed in a room full of people. As both an opera singer and music scholar, I’ve attended countless auditions and conferences. While being recognized for my talents should be fulfilling, it often leaves me feeling uneasy, particularly when I realize I’m the only Asian female present. This discomfort was especially pronounced during a discussion in my Broadway music class about Miss Saigon—a production renowned for its captivating music but deeply entrenched in Orientalism. Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the persistent stereotypes surrounding Asian females. Despite our diversity and individuality, we’re often pigeonholed as gentle, weak, and fixated on white men. One particularly hurtful incident occurred when a music director cast me in Madama Butterfly, not based on my vocal prowess, but because they deemed me to have a “Butter face.” These experiences have shed light on the regressive, ignorant, and arrogant attitudes that still prevail within the music industry.
In the other hand, classical musicians face the difficult reality of struggling to find full-time jobs, often having to work various side jobs to support their careers. The classical music and opera sectors are underfunded, relying heavily on limited or shrinking support from governments, private donors, and sponsors. This financial strain leads to budget constraints for orchestras, opera companies, and other classical music institutions. The audience for opera and classical music is relatively niche compared to popular music genres. This smaller audience base translates to lower ticket sales and less revenue from performances, making it challenging to offer competitive salaries to musicians. Additionally, opera productions are expensive to stage due to the need for elaborate sets, costumes, large orchestras, and extensive rehearsal times, further limiting the funds available for paying performers.There is also an oversupply of classically trained musicians compared to the number of available paid positions. This imbalance allows employers to offer lower wages because there are always more musicians eager for work than there are job openings. Many classical musicians invest heavily in their education and training, often incurring significant debt. Despite their high level of expertise, the financial return on this investment can be relatively low due to the industry’s pay structure.
Do I want a regular job? I would say I never regret choosing this path, as it is where my passion lies and where I see the most beautiful emotions and love in this world. But do I want to try other things? Yes, I do. I want to understand how other professions work in real life and gain different experiences.While my passion lies in being an opera singer, I understand the importance of having diverse skills and interests. If I weren’t an opera singer, I would still seek a career that allows me to be creative and connect with people. For example, I might consider working in arts administration, teaching music, or another role within the cultural sector where I could still contribute to the arts community. However, I am open to other fields as well. Jobs in education, marketing, or even non-profit work could be fulfilling, as they would allow me to use my skills in communication, creativity, and organization. Ultimately, whatever career I choose, it would need to align with my values and passion for making a positive impact on the community.
Zhengyingyue, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For those who may not be familiar, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zhengyingyue (Elaine) Huang, and I am a Chinese soprano deeply entrenched in the world of classical music and opera. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of performing diverse roles in renowned opera houses and festivals, including LAH-SOW Minneapolis opera, Crittenden Opera Workshop, Landlocked Opera, Music on Site, Orange County Lyric Opera in the U.S.A. Some of my past roles include Baba in The Medium, Cio-Cio-san in Madama Butterfly, Mutter in Hänsel und Gretel, and the title role in Suor Angelica.
In addition to my performance endeavors, I am an active participant in music festivals and competitions, where I have been honored with top prizes, including those from the Russian International Opera Competition, Minnesota NATS competition, and Kansas City Musical Club Miller Scholarship Award, London International Classical Music Competition, VI Ordin opera Competition.
Beyond opera, I am also a dedicated pianist, having served at the Tyrolean International Piano Academy in Austria. As a lifelong learner and advocate for new music, I had the privilege of premiering the chamber opera Snow Angel, a poignant exploration of personal identity and agency following a sexual assault.
Driven by my passion for social justice and ethnic diversity, I founded the Asian Classical Music Initiative (ACMI) in 2021. ACMI serves as a platform for celebrating the contributions of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander classical music composers. Through concerts, international conferences, and educational outreach efforts, ACMI aims to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural heritage within our communities.
What sets me apart is not just my dedication to excellence in performance, but also my commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in the classical music world. I am most proud of the work I’ve done with ACMI and the impact it has had in bridging cultures and fostering appreciation for diverse artistic expressions. My hope is to continue breaking barriers and building connections through music, inspiring others to embrace the beauty of cultural diversity in the arts.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to use my talents and platform to foster greater understanding, appreciation, and celebration of cultural diversity within the classical music world. Through my performances and initiatives like the Asian Classical Music Initiative (ACMI), I aim to amplify underrepresented voices, break down stereotypes, and build bridges between different cultures and communities.
I strive to create opportunities for recognition and celebration of the contributions made by Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander classical music composers, presenting diverse musical styles and traditions that span both classical and contemporary genres. By doing so, I hope to promote a richer, more inclusive cultural heritage and inspire future generations of musicians.
Furthermore, my goal is to continue to challenge myself artistically, pushing the boundaries of my vocal and emotional capabilities to deliver compelling performances that resonate deeply with audiences. Through this dedication to excellence and advocacy, I seek to make a positive impact on the world, using music as a powerful tool for connection, empathy, and social change.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a classical musician and opera singer lies in the profound connections forged with audiences, the continuous pursuit of artistic excellence, and the opportunity to advocate for social justice and cultural diversity. Through performances, we are able to evoke deep emotions and unite listeners across diverse backgrounds. This ability to touch hearts and souls, coupled with the ongoing journey of honing technical skills and expressive interpretation, makes the profession deeply fulfilling. Additionally, the platform afforded by music enables musicians to amplify underrepresented voices and promote inclusivity, contributing to positive social change within the classical music community and beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zhengyingyuehuang.com
- Instagram: elainehuangmusic
Image Credits
Credit to Max Jiang and Samuel Alejandro Lazo Garcia