Studio Class
Music
About
Welcome to Studio Class – I'm Megan Ihnen, your friendly mezzo-soprano, teacher, writer, and arts entrepreneur. Together, we'll dive deep into the strategies and tactics of classical singing and composition. Think of me as your "diva sidekick", distilling essential insights in the realms of classical singing, opera, and new music. Whether it's dissecting the nuances of performance or uncovering the habits of successful creatives, we're here to streamline your path to excellence.In this podcast, we transcend the ordinary studio class experience, diving deep into the essential business elements that often get overlooked in the world of classical music. Megan's passion for empowering fellow musicians, both vocalists and composers, shines through, making Studio Class your go-to resource for achieving excellence in your artistic endeavors.Micro Action Monday episodes are short 'how-to' style guides offering actionable entrepreneurship information. For an in-depth look into the journeys of
Episodes
- Episode 123: Micro Action Monday - Sign up for a PRO
In this episode of Studio Class, Megan Ihnen advises musicians to sign up for their PRO and establish a performance royalties system. She emphasizes the importance of starting now for revenue generation.
- Episode 122: Micro Action Monday - Give feedback in rehearsal
In Studio Class Episode 122, Megan Ihnen introduces a feedback framework for rehearsals, termed the 'compliment sandwich.' This strategy involves offering a compliment, providing a constructive note, and concluding with another compliment,…
- Episode 121: Micro Action Monday - Start your own community
Megan discusses building intentional communities, using examples like Diva Squad and #Musochat. She explains the components of community (shared values, activities, consistency) and provides a five-minute micro action: message one person a…
- Episode 120: Micro Action Monday - Choose your visibility task
Episode 120 of Studio Class features Megan Ihnen explaining three steps to build visibility, framing direct asks as generosity. The episode also references content from The Sybaritic Singer and Patreon.
- Episode 119: Micro Action Monday - Cultivate a beginner's mind
Megan Ihnen returns to Studio Class to discuss cultivating a beginner
- Episode 118: Masterclass - Martha Guth
Martha Guth, a Juno-nominated soprano, shares insights into her performance career, highlighting appearances at prestigious venues like Wigmore Hall and Lincoln Center, and her roles as co-founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries and Assistant Profe…
- Episode 117: Masterclass - Bryan Register
American tenor, Bryan Register, has received great critical acclaim for his portrayal of roles including Tristan, Lohengrin and Enée, and has performed in many of the most prestigious theatres in Europe including, the Bavarian State Opera,…
- Episode 116: Masterclass - Julia Cooke
As the Artistic and General Director of Opera Baltimore, Julia Cooke has spearheaded a revolution, overseeing a phenomenal 366% budget increase and expanding annual events from 10 to 103 since 2020. Her visionary leadership and deep commun…
- Episode 115: Masterclass - Dr. Tonya Lawson
Dr. Tonya Lawson is a musician, blogger, and SEO specialist whose mission is to empower musicians and other creatives to build out passive income streams so they have the financial freedom to live the life they want to live. She is a multi…
- Episode 114: Masterclass - Sarah Brailey
GRAMMY Award-winning soprano Sarah Brailey enjoys a versatile career that defies categorization. Praised by The New York Times for her “radiant, liquid tone,” and by Opera UK for “a sound of remarkable purity,” she is a prolific vocalist,…
- Episode 113: Masterclass - Samuel Martin
Step into the world of classical music and #TeamArtSong with pianist Samuel Martin in this Masterclass episode. From international stages to innovative projects like "Before She Became Fire," Martin's debut album with mezzo Kathryn Leemhui…
- Episode 112: Masterclass - Lee Anne Myslewski
In this episode, we dive into the world of opera and classical programming with a true luminary in the field, Lee Anne Myslewski. As the Vice President of Opera and Classical Programming at Wolf Trap, Lee Anne shares her journey since join…
- Episode 111: Micro Action Monday - Set your new intentions
In this Micro Action Monday episode, we delve into the transformative power of reviewing your 2023 and setting intentions for 2024. Explore key areas like physical and mental health, finances, relationships, community, and creativity. Refl…
- Episode 110: Masterclass - Keturah Stickann
As a director and choreographer, Keturah Stickann's work has graced stages worldwide, from the U.S. and Canada to Chile, Japan, France, Hungary, and Australia. We dive into her experiences with opera giants like Jake Heggie & Gene Scheer,…
- Episode 109: Micro Action Monday - Improve your tenacity
"Simply put, tenacity gives you the confidence and courage to 'find a way' even if you don't currently know 'how' you'll do it." That and more in this Micro Action Monday episode which is all about improving your tenacity and being a tenac…
- Episode 108: Micro Action Monday - Get asked back
Megan discusses how to get hired back and why you’ll want to show gratitude today for the working relationships in your past that have been spectacular. Do you like these micro action episodes? You'll probably like the 29 Days to Diva seri…
- Episode 107: Micro Action Monday - Be a better sight-reader
In this Micro Action Monday episode, Megan discusses how to incorporate more sight-reading and sight-singing and why you’ll want to invest some time in having a system for pitches and intervals today. Do you like these micro action episode…
- Episode 106: Micro Action Monday - Get new headshots
In this Micro Action Monday episode we're focusing on capturing your best self through your headshots. Megan dives into the importance of updating your headshots as a key aspect of personal and professional branding. She discusses how a fr…
- Episode 105: Micro Action Monday - Diversify your income
This Micro Action Monday episode focuses on what it means to diversify your income streams and why it's crucial in today's ever-changing economy especially for those of us who live professionally creative lives. Do you like these micro act…
- Episode 104: Masterclass - Fabiana Claure
Fabiana creates financial and artistic prosperity for musicians so they can stop trading time for money and create lifestyle-aligned businesses where they have the freedom to work on their own time, with complete location freedom, without…
- Episode 103: Masterclass - Ann McMahon Quintero
Praised for her evocative interpretations of oratorio and opera, Ann McMahon Quintero has filled the 2022/23 season with new works and old favorites. She joins Boston Baroque and Alabama Symphony for Messiah , Charleston Symphony for Proko…
- Episode 102: Masterclass - Jason Nitsch
Jason Nitsch is a composer for the concert stage, feature and short films, and other media. In the world of podcasting, he is the writer, producer, and composer for Beyond the Belt: Adventures from the Outer Rim, a science fiction drama po…
- Episode 101: Masterclass - Kerriann Otaño
Kerriann Otaño is the Vice President of Engagement at America’s 11th oldest opera company, OperaDelaware. Originally from Long Island, New York, Kerriann studied at the Verdi Conservatorio in Milan, Italy, before receiving her Bachelors de…
- Episode 100: Masterclass - Chelsea Hollow
Chelsea Hollow “has rewritten the book on the potential of musical activism," curating & commissioning solo recitals based on activist texts as well as exploring ways to make traditional opera exciting to new audiences. In recognition of t…
- Episode 99: Masterclass - Peyee Chen
An omnivore when it comes to performing, soprano Peyee Chen enjoys singing Monteverdi with lute and bass viol as much as singing Bernhard Lang with electronics and electric bass. Up for physical challenges, she has performed with poet Caro…
- Episode 93: Masterclass - Pamela Stein Lynde
Praised for her “rich dramatics” (The Boston Globe) and called "Magnificent" by Fanfare Magazine, Pamela Stein Lynde is a versatile singer, composer, choral conductor and music educator. As a singer, Pamela has built a career working with…
- Episode 98: Masterclass - Whitney George
Whitney George’s music traverses the affective terrain between tragedy and ecstasy, fragility and strength, bringing together romantically delicate intimacy and the spectacular darkness of the macabre. Haunted by ghosts and/of love, George…
- Episode 97: Masterclass - Jenni Bank
Jenni Bank was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, grew up in Binghamton, New York, & studied at Peabody Conservatory. She has worked with Seattle Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Chicago Lyric Opera, New York City Opera, Anchorage Ope…
- Episode 96: Masterclass - Maggie Finnegan
Soprano Maggie Finnegan has been hailed by Opera News for her “clear, poised and defiant soprano” and the Washington Post for her “silvery, pitch-perfect voice." Recent career highlights include Maggie's European Operatic debut in L'Enfant…
- Episode 95: Masterclass - Kathleen Kelly
Kathleen Kelly’s projects and repertoire are wide-ranging and diverse. From Mozart to commissioned works by her peers, she is both deeply experienced in the classical vocal canon and engaged in new creation. Recent notable projects include…
- Episode 94: Masterclass - Carrie Hennessey
Carrie Hennessey is a wayfinder through the deep, spiritual and technical discoveries of the voice. Early success in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions led to high expectations, but singing after trauma in her early 20s dismantled the ease i…
- Episode 92: Masterclass - Kala Maxym
Kala is the Founder of Five Senses Tastings, a Certified Women-Owned Business. Her philosophy of Sensory Wellness encourages guests to harness the energy, power, and play of their five senses using music, wine, and food, and sweet treats.…
- Episode 91: Micro Action Monday - Deal with negative feedback
No one likes to receive negative feedback - it's true. But, how you respond to criticism will influence what kind and speed of progress you can make in your professionally creative career. In this Micro Action Monday, Megan discusses how t…
- Episode 90: Masterclass - Hilary Ginther
Opera Now Magazine in their article, “Written in the Stars” profiled Hilary Ginther in May 2016 as one of ten young American singers intent on taking the opera world by storm, calling attention to her “substantial and richly colored instru…
- Episode 89: Micro Action Monday - Make your auditions shine
"Having an audition that really shines is not about, 'Oh, I wore this dress that they really liked.' It's about, 'I made a moment for them in that room. They felt so inspired by my work that they knew I would be the right fit for an entire…
- Episode 88: Micro Action Monday - Create a practice schedule
"Go ahead and actually prepare with efficiency and effectiveness so that you can make the most out of your work and feel like you're bringing your best musical self to the situation." In this Micro Action Monday episode, Megan breaks down…
- Episode 87: Masterclass - Megan Ihnen on Being a Whole Person with Rebecca Hass (Crossover Episode)
Megan does a crossover episode with Rebecca Hass of "Being a Whole Person" podcast! Here's what Rebecca wrote about our chat... "I had a delightful conversation with Megan Ihnen, a mezzo-soprano and “new music force of nature” who wears ma…
- Episode 86: Masterclass - Kelly Corcoran
Named “Best Classical Conductor” by the Nashville Scene, Kelly Corcoran is Artistic Director & Conductor of Intersection, a contemporary music ensemble now in its 9th season in Nashville. Corcoran founded the Nashville Philharmonic Orchest…
- Episode 85: Micro Action Monday - Work with a new collaborator
Ask yourself, "Am I bringing my best self to each collaboration?" In any collaboration when you start working with somebody new, I want you to think, "Wow, it's really an honor to get to work with this person. How can we both achieve our g…
- Episode 84: Masterclass - Ah Young Hong
A soprano of "fearlessness and consummate artistry" ( Opera News ), Ah Young Hong has interpreted a vast array of repertoire, ranging from the music of Monteverdi to Georg Friedrich Haas. Widely recognized for her work in Michael Hersch's…
- Episode 83: Micro Action Monday - Invoice like a pro
"If you have done any freelance music work or any kind of freelance creative work, at some point you will need to invoice someone. And now's the time to figure out what you're going to do." In this Micro Action Monday, Megan talks about ho…
- Episode 82: Micro Action Monday - Interview your prospective teacher
“So asking about logistics and style really help you know whether this is the right situation or if you’re just going to be studying with someone who might be fantastic at what they do… but the ‘what they do’ is not the right thing for you…
- Episode 81: Masterclass - Michelle Trovato
Michelle Trovato has sparked praise in Opera News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and others for her “lush” voice and dynamic characterizations. She has won prizes in the U.S., Canada, and Europe and she also maintains an active…
- Episode 80: Micro Action Monday - Set your own prices
“I want you to know that you have way more control over your financial life in the arts than you might have been led to believe. I love helping people figure out how to live sustainable lives in the arts. That’s what I want for you. I want…
- Episode 79: Micro Action Monday - Beat practice procrastination
“I can’t be the only one who feels this way… Do you sometimes procrastinate practicing? Practice really is the number one anxiety killer, the number one performance anxiety killer, so have a great time. Be joyful in your practicing because…
- Episode 78: Micro Action Monday - Generate better dramatic choices
“Ask yourself to go much deeper with what you’re performing. Show me both the internal and the external so that I can just lose myself in the performance that you’re giving!” In this Micro Action Monday episode, Megan talks about tools, ti…
- Episode 77: Micro Action Monday - Break the rules
“You are inhabiting information that may or may not be useful to you anymore. I want you to interrogate what you think the rules of the game are. That you can only “make it’ if you follow these rules, if you do all of the things on this ch…
- Episode 76: Micro Action Monday - Do the ideal client exercise
So ideal client exercise is this super charger of empathy. You’re putting yourself into the feelings, thoughts, desires, goals, and pain points of somebody else. This is somebody you care about because you really want to work with them. Th…
- Episode 75: Micro Action Monday - Conduct a SWOT analysis
“Divas, I want you to do your own SWOT analysis today: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. - What are my most unique skills? - Where am I less skilled? Can I become more skilled in this area with more/better information? Or, sho…
- Episode 74: Micro Action Monday - Communicate your offers
“I really want you to think about how you are putting yourself out there for the work you want to do. How are you communicating your offers? Let’s go through the list one more time: attracting and connecting with your ideal clients, being…