Latest news…
Getting the best from a headshot session - Julian Guidera
Sharon Kempton: 5 Steps to Boost your Career
Audition Oracle Testimonial: Nazan Fikret - Soprano
Member Spotlight: Myrianne Fleur - soprano
News & Views
Getting the best from a headshot session - Julian Guidera
Audition Oracle – Mon 27 Jan 2025 @ 11:54
We asked Julian Guidera, experienced opera headshot photographer, for his tips on getting the most out of a headshot session.
Plan:
Put together a mood board of inspiring headshots and try to define what you like about them, so your photographer can share your vision.
Visualise:
How will your images be seen & used? Concert programmes, Instagram stories & website homepages tend to be seen by different audiences. Do you need to leave negative space for text overlay, or to fill the frame?
Chat:
Talk to your photographer in advance - to make a connection, discuss ideas & plan out the shoot. This will help you relax & enjoy the session.
Practice:
Rehearse some key poses in a mirror or with a friend. Having more regular, shorter headshot sessions can help develop your confidence in front of a camera.
Wear:
Your usual audition outfit is a good starting point. Aim for comfortable & flattering clothing that looks right in the photo location, with colour schemes & fabrics to complement your skin tone & hair. Bring any relevant accessories to allow for more variety of images & show your artistic personality.
Prepare:
Treat it like a mini-performance. Rest well the night before, do any personal grooming & iron clothes if necessary, so you look & feel your best.
Bring:
The more creative ideas you can bring to the shoot, the better! Have an open mind about playing with range of looks & moods.
Julian has kindly donated 2 x free headshot studio sessions (worth £120) to our Singers’ Preparation Award 2025.
These sessions will take place in Julian’s new studio at the 1901 Arts Club.
Log in or register your free account to Submit your application here.
Julian says:
“When I was a student at RSAMD (RCS) there weren't many photographers on the scene, and I went through my whole BMus with a single, out-of-date headshot. I'd like to provide student musicians & emerging artists with access to affordable professional headshots in a relaxed setting & convenient location: my artist portrait studio opens in January 2025 at the 1901 Arts Club in central London.”
Julian is a London-based photographer working in opera productions & rehearsals, concerts, natural light & studio portraits, and education & outreach projects. He trained as a baritone and sang in operas & choirs before moving into photography in 2018. He takes headshots of singers, instrumentalists & other creative professionals, and has worked with companies including WNO, Garsington, ETO, Dorset Opera, Oxford Lieder, NOS & Aurora Orchestra.
Sharon Kempton: 5 Steps to Boost your Career
Audition Oracle – Thu 23 Jan 2025 @ 14:00
Performance Success Coach and freelance opera singer Sharon Kempton and has generously offered one 60 minute Transformational Success Coaching session as part of our Singers’ Preparation Award 2025.
Today Sharon is sharing 5-steps to help you find clarity and create a career that you want:
1. Define Your Unique Voice:
2. Set Clear Goals:
3. Identify Your Network:
4. Create a Plan:
5. Invest in Yourself:
Your Action Step Today:
APPLY NOW for a free Transformational Mindset Coaching with Sharon, and find out how to reach your true potential.
About Sharon Kempton
Sharon Kempton is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience as an opera singer, having performed more than 40 major operatic roles worldwide. Her extensive stage experience has honed her expertise in voice mastery, performance under pressure, resilience, and career longevity.
In addition to her illustrious singing career, Sharon is a certified mindset and performance coach. She empowers professionals across various fields—including the corporate sector and the arts—to enhance their presentation, influence, and communication skills with clarity and conviction. Her coaching approach is informed by her personal journey of overcoming performance anxiety, achieving success in international singing competitions, and balancing a demanding career as a single mother in Germany.
Audition Oracle Testimonial: Nazan Fikret - Soprano
Audition Oracle – Thu 9 Jan 2025 @ 11:17
Nothing brings us more joy than hearing how Audition Oracle has helped our members with their career. Today, we’re delighted to share this fantastic review from the wonderful soprano Nazan Fikret.
“Audition Oracle has been such a useful resource over the years: it saves such a huge amount of time scouring the internet and collating potential opportunities.
In early years and before I had an agent, I looked for YAP production, chorus and cover contracts, as well as training opportunities and competitions across the globe. In recent years, I have returned to it largely in order to scour open opera auditions abroad (and occasionally, things I might not have been on my radar on home soil). I have not forgotten that it was where I found out about Opera På Skäret in Sweden. From the information I saw on AO, I secured an audition for their Zauberflöte, as Queen of the Night (production Summer 2019, with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra). I went on to get the role and it opened lots of doors for me.
In recent months, a call was put out for another Queen of the Night, in Poznań. Lots of kind souls reached out to bring my attention to the opportunity, but it was on AO that I was able to clearly see all the details, find a link to the source information and verify that it was worth applying for, before handing over to my brilliant agent. I auditioned in November and have just signed the contract!”
The reason we love this review is that it highlights everything we strive to offer at Audition Oracle:
A reliable, time-saving resource for opportunities at every stage of a singer’s career. The other thing we love is how gracious Nazan is to all the elements that come together to support her. This career is hard—it truly takes a village! It’s a joy to know we’ve played a part in her journey—from her early days to her recent successes on international stages.
If Audition Oracle has helped you in your career, we’d love to hear your story!
Drop us an email to [email protected]
Member Spotlight: Myrianne Fleur - soprano
Audition Oracle – Wed 18 Dec 2024 @ 8:22
This weeks member spotlight warmly welcomes French soprano Myrianne Fleur
1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?
Lyrical singer, soprano
2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?
I'm a doctor in sports medicine: it helps me understand the body and the muscles and practice weight training and stretching.
3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?
Singing Rossini's Stabat Mater in Lisinski Hall in Zabreg with the National Choir and Orchestra of Croatia.
4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?
I am dreaming about singing on stage at the Opéra Bastille or the MET; my dream role would be either Leonore in Fidelio or Isabel in Lessons in Love and Violence (George Benjamin).
5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?
Creating emotions in people (colleagues and public), and developing my emotional skills also.
6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Travel more to learn how to sing and try to enter the CNSMDP [Conservatoire de Paris], and if it works, take a break from my medical studies.
7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:
Determination, Work and Emotion
Our featured Member Spotlight artists are picked by random draw from Audition Oracle members who have submitted their answers to our Member Spotlight interview questions. If you would like the chance to feature in a Member Spotlight, please submit your answers here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSea8IrUeDbOx9jhVH0SYrAFoYKK1MOhmpmvrBa0sDKbrBzCeQ/viewform
If you are not already an Audition Oracle member, please register for a basic free account in order to be eligible.
Member Spotlight: Eugene Dillon-Hooper - Bass
Audition Oracle – Tue 10 Dec 2024 @ 13:02
This week we are delighted to welcome the talented British/Irish bass Eugene Dillon-Hooper as our member spotlight.
Eugene is a full time member of The Royal Opera chorus where he and his excellent colleagues frequently enjoy stepping into supporting roles at this world renown opera house.
1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?
British/Irish operatic Bass
2. What other skills or passions do you have that help shape you as an artist?
Birdwatching, photography and most importantly being a parent. Becoming a step-dad taught me to totally be myself and a role model within all facets of my life. Being on stage without limitations but still grounded by core values has allowed me to grow as a performer, a creative and a person.
3. What has been the most memorable and rewarding experience you have had as an artist?
There's two... My first full performance at the ROH as a member of the RO Chorus, opening night of Peter Grimes and my solo ROH debut as Count Ceprano (Rigoletto) with my partner and two kids cheering me on.
4. What role, company or performing situation would be a dream come true for you as an artist?
I always used to tell myself that if I got a full-time chorus job, I'd have made it. But now I'm here, my drive is to sing Colline on stage at the ROH... I'm working on it!
5. What do you like most about being a creative artist?
I get to do a job I love every day, it almost never feels like work.
6. If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Learn the piano and keep up your languages after GCSE
7. Three words that are the pillars you shape your career by:
Patience, perseverance and collaboration
8. Where can our follower see you next?:
Aside from the many choruses we do, in 2025 I'll be performing Leif in the world premiere of Festen for the Royal Ballet and Opera and Haydn's Creation at the English Haydn Festival in Bridgnorth.
For tickets to Festen at the Royal Opera House - https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/this-insights-event-will-be-filmed-and-streamed-live1-details
To hear Eugene as the bass soloist for Haydan's Creation at the English Haydn Festival see https://englishhaydn.com/programmebookings.html#/ in the new year!