A Non-Professional Singer is a person who enjoys singing and has maybe had some training in the vocal area. The Non-Professional Singer may do Karaoke, Community Theaters or Choirs, and Church choirs. The Non-Professional Singer is actually a pretty good singer, just couldn't take the time out of life to do things like audition for Broadway, audition for American Idol, and/or make their own CD to start shopping around to record companies.
I am a Non-Professional Singer. I love singing and directing the little choir I created with my friend. I love singing karaoke. I still direct the music for church services. I still sing "special music" for church services. I love going to show choir competitions during show choir season.
I went to college to be a singer and studied music.
I also have many health issues. One that was discovered when I was eleven that would eventually lead to a kidney transplant. In my late teens early twenties my health was at its worse. A councelor at the medical center looked me in the face and told me I wasn't allowed to live my dream and become a "Professional Singer." I had to have insurance to live. She was just very matter of fact. Within a two minute conversation, my dreams were crushed! Did this person realize she had accomplished that?! Of course, this person for her job probably crushes dreams on a daily basis!
So, I went back to college and changed my major to a music major that could get a job: Music Business. In fact, the advisor of that major called me while I was still in the hospital from my transplant to check on me. See, the music business majors would go on a trip to California every year to attend NAMM (The International Music Products Association) conference. He knew the only thing keeping me from going was a kidney. From that moment on, I knew that music business was where I was supposed to be.
I currently work for a large sheet music company where, I have insurance. Not exactly what I had in mind when I started college, but I enjoy it most days. I sing on the side. My largest endeavor is the community show choir I started with a friend in January of 2010.
My question is, how does one fulfil the need to do something that was a life long dream? When a single person turns around and demolishes all of your dreams and aspirations, life does go on.
This blog will be about my life going on...
I'm glad you don't blame the crushed dreams on me! I remember telling you you had to get a job where you could get insurance. Maybe it just didn't seem "real" until a professional in health care was the one who told you.
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