“I have been a flute player for 2 decades, although I haven’t picked it up in a few years. That is how I learned to read music well, and I have always excelled at sight reading. It was then that I realized that no one needed a flute player unless they are proficient in all of the other reed instruments.
I decided to take up piano instead. I taught myself over the past 9 years how to play, and subjected myself to many ‘trial by fire’ situations which required me to sight read broadway scores in dress rehearsals, auditions, and performances in the suburbs of Philly and the DE area. There are a lack of piano players who are comfortable doing this in these areas, so I was being used more and more in ’emergencies’. Any pianist is better than none! haha
Went back to school for a bachelor’s in nursing degree during this time, which I obtained in 2013.
I used to work all night at the hospital 7pm-7am, and then head right to a morning rehearsal. Then home in the mid afternoon to sleep as much as possible before being back at the hospital at 7pm that night.
After almost 3 years of trying this, I burned myself out. I felt unwell and was frazzled all of the time. This showed in my work, at both jobs.
Finally, I had to decide between financial security and my truest passion which has always been music. So I decided to take time off to see how a trial period works out… I needed to finish all of the projects that I had already started (“The Nose” being one of them), and I wanted to be able to put all of my efforts into it.
I guess I should have known, but now I realize that performing music full time is a LOT of hard work. I don’t seem to get any more sleep than I did before! I take on any available work because I need to pay rent which sometimes means 2 rehearsals and a performance in 1 day.
Then 9am Monday morning I had to be at the piano accompanying for classes and showcases at Actor’s Connection til 4p.
BUT I don’t feel like I am working at all. I’m having the best time, and my mood has drastically improved. “
OUTER-STAGE 