Janai and I!
Asking some questions!
Last Friday, before one of the performances of Turandot at the Met, I had the privilege of interviewing Janai Brugger. Before talking to her, I was beyond nervous, but after a few minutes with her, I almost forgot who she was and her fame. She was incredibly sweet, open, and down to earth. She also answered every question whole-heartedly and took genuine interest in my project and my future. I asked her about her current career, where she sees herself in the future, how she juggles a family and a career, and how she got to where she is today.
I first asked her when she first knew that she wanted to sing classically for a living. She told me that she had been taking voice lessons all through high school, and she had thought she wanted to pursue music theater. However, she began doing vocal competitions, where she frequently won in the classical division; she had found her strength, and it came to be her passion.
Then came a crucial decision. Where to go to college? I am personally going through that very ordeal, and it was great to get some insight into why she chose her undergraduate school, DePaul. It had amazing voice teachers, which are the most key elements in the making of any successful singer. It also gave a lot of attention to the undergraduate students. She got to star in multiple full length operas as undergrad, giving her vital experience she could use down the road. It also offered her a balanced educational experience, with good general education requirements as well as a stellar music program.
Another crucial decision is where to go to grad school? She chose the University of Michigan. Her voice teacher there was actually a famous opera singer turned voice teacher who offered her amazing connections vital to the crucial networking aspect of the opera business. Her name was Shirley Verrett. She not only helped Janai understand the business side of opera, but she offered invaluable technical advice. Janai said she was very protective of her students, mentally and vocally. She wanted them to be prepared for the sometimes competitively cut throat world they were soon to enter. She is very thankful for her master's degree because it allows her the opportunity to teach in the future, if she decides that is something she wants to pursue. It keeps her options open and her horizons wide.
Janai also stressed the importance of young artist programs. They offer experience and contacts, and they are always challenging. They teach young singers the importance of punctuality, learning their music and staging, as well as always being professional. She told me about YAPtracker.com, which tells about all upcoming auditions. It even reminds you when specific audition deadlines you are interested are coming up. The young artist programs also give you a chance to find a manager, which she did. Someone took interest in her, and told her to keep in touch, which she also did. They are now a team. The manager covers tricky things like fees, finding auditions, and dealing with other not so easy things.
She has traveled all over, being a part of the San Francisco as well as LA opera companies, and living in Charleston for a while, studying with my voice teacher, Maggie Cook. She gave me the connection to Janai, and believe it or not, when I was fourteen, I sang in a concert with Janai. She certainly has come extremely far in less than three years.
Just this past summer she won Operalia, and now she's singing at the Met! She stressed the importance of competitions such as Operalia because even if you don't win, who knows who could have been watching you? They give you exposure, a crucial component of a career in opera.
I also asked her where she saw herself in ten years; she is only twenty nine. She said hopefully still singing but also raising a family. She is currently six and a half months pregnant, and her life is about to change. So, I asked her if the thought women could have it all, balance a career and family that is. She said she believes it is absolutely possible, and that with a strong support group and determination, it can easily be done. She even referenced one of my favorite singers, Renée Fleming, who raised two daughters while having an extremely flagrant, enduring, and successful career.
I also had to ask how it was singing at the Met and how she dealt with those nerves. She quickly answered that she had tons of nerves and that she would even be nervous singing for me right there in the middle of a Starbucks. She said that is intimidating, but all of the cast was extremely supportive of her, kind to her, and willing to help her with anything. They even developed inside jokes. She also said that to deal with nerves she focuses all of the apprehension into excitement and good energy, she breathes as much as possible, she prays, and she gives herself a personal pep talk. She keeps herself extremely grounded and never takes herself too seriously.
Those were the core things I spoke to Janai about, and it was an incredible experience to hear everything from someone who really went through these trials and tribulations to make it to the Met. Now that is not how everyone's career will unfold, but she certainly has a brilliant future ahead of her, and a stable mind and head on her shoulders. There is not an ounce of diva in her body, though she admitted to meeting many divas and catty girls on her journey. She left me with the advice that, "No two paths are the same. Don't try to follow someone else's; make your own." I will carry that advice with me as I advance into the world of opera. Janai also sweetly asked me to call her updating her on any schools I get into and where I am headed. She truly is an amazing woman. I hope to keep in touch with her, and wish her the very best raising her family and building her career.
