The Performing Life

Book excerpt: The author draws on personal experience to explore how singers survive in the face of personal and professional pressures, exorbitant expectations, illness, and public demands. She details factors that can change the course of a particular performance or an entire career. This book looks at the need for extensive preparation, discovering performance niche, acquiring mentors, determinging maintenance levels, finding a support system, and grooming the body and mind. In addition, the text discusses matters of personal health for singers: illness, food allergies, insomnia; as well as challenges presented in recording studios and performance venues. This book oulines advice for singers to bolster themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally in order to maintain their powers of performance.