Suzanne Waters, one of our book buyers, only just recently did her first big film scoring session here in Los Angeles. Elin took a few minutes to ask her some questions about her experience to share with all of you.
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SSH: Suzanne, how long have you been here in L.A., and how long have you been pursuing a career as a session
singer?
Suzanne: In college I majored in graphic design after listening to people who told me I’d better study something I could get a job doing right out of school. Before I knew it, I’d been in LA nearly ten years feeling trapped in a full-time graphic design job when I really wanted to be singing. I managed to get a few very lucky sessions/gigs over the years, but I didn’t know how to make the gigs more regular. Late last year I was laid off and it was like a wake-up call–life is too short to spend it doing something I never really wanted to do in the first place. I started doing a ton of research, and I found your book! It gave me a place to start and immediately helped me establish realistic and attainable goals. I still have a long way to go, still work other freelance gigs, but I’ve been able to accomplish so much in the past few months just by devoting the majority of my time and effort towards a career I really want.
SSH: What’s your background as a singer?
Suzanne: I was surrounded with classical music as a child and grew up in a very musical family. I think singing started to take shape for me at my father’s music school where I was taking solfège classes to supplement my piano lessons with him. I studied voice more specifically in high school, doing a few musicals and singing in competitive choirs. In college I minored in music, focusing on opera and performance. Once I graduated, I kept performing and singing in musicals, weddings, family reunions, church services… wherever I could. Finally more recently I was able to get my feet wet in the entertainment industry, a few highlights being singing vocals for a 2-time Academy Award winning composer and performing live for a Paramount Pictures press event in Seoul, Korea.
SSH: How did you get the gig? Did you have to audition?
Suzanne: There really was no was no formal audition. I think it was more a product of meeting and being heard by as many people as possible. I started by going to events where I could network with members of the singing community, and gradually formed new relationships with successful singers. Many of these singers and musicians were willing to share valuable advice and feedback, which helped me better understand the industry and how a new singer can actually break in. One piece of advice I heard was to make sure I stay on top of my game and be ready for that big opportunity when it comes. I started taking sight singing classes and studying privately again. I did well at auditions and call-backs, invited people to hear me sing live, recorded new tracks for my demo, and added every new accomplishment to my resume. When there was news to report, I made sure to keep all my new contacts updated. After much patient persistence and fortunate timing, a contractor was able to give me a chance!
SSH: What was the most surprising thing about the session?
Suzanne: I knew I was going to be singing with an amazing group of singers, but I was blown away by everyone’s skills. So many first takes were the only takes, and I couldn’t believe how fast we moved through all the queues. It was like being part of a well-oiled machine! I was so excited to have a part in creating the sound.
SSH: Do you have any words of wisdom for others who would like to pursue this line of work?
Suzanne: I’m definitely no expert and I still have tons to learn, but I would say my first big opportunity came because I shifted my focus to accomplishing goals for myself as a singer. I re-assessed a lot of things… What was my website doing for me lately? What are my strengths as a vocalist that would make me valuable as a session singer? Is my demo on par with other frequently working session singers’ demos? Who do I want to make a point of meeting, and who do I know that could vouch for me? Once you decide what you want, don’t waste time like I did keeping it on the back burner! And this is advice I’m merely echoing from the awesome people I’ve been meeting, but I think it’s really important: don’t just be talented. Be respectful, be excited, and be passionate!
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