This post was originally posted by Chrya the Falstaff music blog here on the 2nd November 2013
Meet Jaymie Kym McMellon who, on graduating from university as a young hopeful singer, found herself working in a handmade burger company.
Jaymie needed the money to commute from her home in Solihull to London to further her studies, but in her first week at waitressing she dropped a burger on the floor, perilously close to an unsuspecting customer and prospects looked somewhat dim.
Although she stuck it out for 12 months and despite the fact her waitressing improved, Jaymie looked for better options and discovered singing teaching to primary school children and young adults was more appropriate.
Neither of Jaymie’s parents had any background in music whatsoever, so it did come as a surprise when they discovered she possessed real singing talent as a soprano. After winning a scholarship at the age of 16 years to the Solihull Chandos Choir, Jaymie went on to read music at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, then to Birmingham Conservatoire where she became involved with opera companies in the Midlands.
Aware of the fierce competition in her chosen profession, she’ll sing anywhere and everywhere given the opportunity.
“I just need to be seen and be heard.”
In choirs, either as a chorister or a soloist, private concerts, charity concerts, wedding receptions, in restaurants and bars, even as an events organizer where she does everything, including the singing. When finally completed, her attractive and expertly prepared website will provide her with a highly effective marketing tool, www.jksoprano.com/en/ where all her past achievements have been itemised.
But Jaymie’s burning ambition is to become an opera singer. Aware of the fact she’ll need far more intensive training and the high cost associated with advanced tuition, she has already trained as a TEFL teacher in preparation for touring Europe on the audition trail.
Jaymie is very anxious to audition with Co-Opera Co for their season in 2014/15 and likes to keep in touch with the company as a member of the Co-Opera Co Friends, Fans and Family. She has a warm regard for the company which is bringing opera to a broader base of people, in addition to their highly commendable youth initiatives.
Jaymie’s story is not unique. Hopeful opera singers fresh out of music college are all faced with similar hurdles that need to be scaled. Yet, the reason she offered to have her story told for the benefit of Co-Opera Co clearly illustrates that to become known in a highly over-crowded market it is imperative to constantly be seen, in addition to being heard.
There is really no alternative!
