Are You Planning on Getting Some Writing Tutoring Near Me?

Are You Planning on Getting Some Writing Tutoring Near Me?Are you planning on getting some writing tutoring near me? There are many people who write about them on the internet and they are going to help you out with it. But how do you find out which ones are legitimate and how do you know if you're getting the best deal? Here are a few tips to help you out.The first thing that you want to do is look at the website of the tutoring company, you will notice that there is a major problem on the website that you can make sure that you never get yourself into again. The web design is usually terrible, and it's very important that they get the information in your face so that you know that you need help. For example, the training that you get about the social media that you should be using is vital and it's the key to getting a good learning experience.Other things that you may not have thought about are things like whether or not they give you any money back after you pay for the classes. There are ways that you can catch scams and it's important that you pay attention to these things because they can cost you a lot of money. The worst thing is that you'll have to pay for the class over again, and you never get the results that you want.Writing in the English language is very different than writing in other languages, you will want to make sure that you are learning everything that you can about it. You will need to research grammar and word choice so that you can learn how to use the correct English language that is used around the world. You will also need to learn how to start learning the language while still in your early twenties.If you don't already have a tutor then you will want to look for a good English tutor who will be able to teach you everything that you need to know. For example, they may need to help you with grammar and a lot of the time they need to be able to coach you on how to be assertive and persuasive in your writing. After all you want to be able to use the language effectively, but you also want to be confident and persuasive in your writings.As you might be able to tell from the last sentence, a good writing tutor can be expensive, especially if you get one online. Many times there is a lot of money involved in their costs, and it can be a huge barrier for many people. You will have to decide on whether or not you can afford the price, but it will depend on how much your friends or family know about this type of things.When you are searching for one, you should find someone that you trust and you feel comfortable working with. It's very important that you are getting someone who can really help you with your writing problems, otherwise you won't be able to learn and use the language effectively. Also you want to find someone who can provide you with the highest quality education possible. Not all writing tutors will be good to work with and it's up to you to choose which one you want to go with.Writing tutoring is so mething that you should always look into. You don't want to miss out on something that you can benefit from by simply not looking into it. You should know that there are so many of them that you will want to choose from and the best part is that they are affordable.

Organic Chemistry Tutor Near Me - Why Make Sure You Find One Thats Right For You?

Organic Chemistry Tutor Near Me - Why Make Sure You Find One That's Right For You?If you have been searching for an organic chemistry tutor near me, then you will find the most comprehensive resource on the web. Since the Internet is always a great place to shop for things, and finding online tutors is certainly a great idea, so many have taken advantage of it by using websites that are totally dedicated to giving people advice about tutoring for science. Some sites even offer a free trial to get their web page seen by more people who may be interested in what they have to offer.The online learning site is quite comprehensive in its resources when it comes to organic chemistry tutor near me. It has different subjects such as laboratories, periodic table, thermodynamics, properties of gases, chemistry, and much more. You can have all your questions answered to your satisfaction with just a click of the mouse.The online course is also the way to take a look at where organic chemistry t utor near me would be best for you. The course has various types of sessions depending on what you want to learn. Some of the chemistry lessons are very basic, while others are for students who have mastered the fundamentals. The instructors are also able to customize the course based on your preferences.One of the best parts of the website is the interactive software. You are able to play games for practice as well as drill on the new concepts being taught. Online sessions are held on a regular basis so you won't miss any session.Having a website that allows you to enjoy your online environment is something that you have to consider. Having something that allows you to do your homework is a must. A lot of people just want to take part in online sessions with their family and friends, so they don't need to pay for anything out of pocket.With many free sites, you'd have to worry about using the right keyword. The online tutor knows everything about organic chemistry tutor near me as it is what he/she does. This also means that you can get a feel of what the tutor will be like when he/she starts working with you.Getting a course that has great options is definitely great for students who want to learn. The courses available online to allow you to explore different levels of learning. There are also some systems that will allow you to have access to full online classes for free.

Molybdenum and Chemistry

Molybdenum and ChemistryMolybdenum is an essential element that needs to be present in the body in trace amounts so it's important that one maintains a balanced diet. Molybdenum is found in animal and vegetable products but it is most beneficial when it is derived from natural sources. You can get it from oysters, cabbage, wheat, barley, oats, peanuts, beans, whole wheat, and barley.Alpha-Kaline phosphatase is an enzyme that is necessary for producing Molybdenum. It has an anabolic effect on the body. It helps in the utilization of carbohydrates and fats, which also help in the buildup of lactic acid. This lactate is then used as energy for cellular functions.Not many people realize that there are a number of minerals that you need to include in your diet if you want to have a healthy body. In this regard, you will find the list of minerals that are part of Molybdenum -5. Two of the minerals that are in Molybdenum have helped in keeping a balanced diet. They are magnesium and calcium .Magnesium is known to be a natural vasodilator that helps in keeping the blood vessels from being narrowed. This mineral also helps in keeping the cell membranes from becoming inflamed.Calcium is a mineral that is necessary in the formation of red blood cells and provides oxygen. Besides keeping you healthy, calcium is necessary in the development of nerve cells in the brain.The last two minerals that are involved in Molybdenum also have essential amino acids which help in building proteins. Without proteins, you cannot survive. What's more, proteins provide the source of energy that is required for the growth of cells and the maintenance of the brain.Vitamin A is also an important ingredient in Molybdenum. It helps in maintaining healthy skin, eyes, and nails. It is also required to maintain the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.

A Student Review of New York University

A Student Review of New York University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Alice is a New York City tutor specializing in Literature tutoring, AP English tutoring, all levels of Spanish tutoring, and more. She graduated from New York University in 2012 with a Bachelors degree in Comparative Literature. Check out her review of her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Alice:The NYU campus is as urban as it gets, located in the heart of New York City. All of the dorms are located within walking distance to most of the buildings, and NYU also provides bus service to the further outlying locations. Many students ride bikes, walk, and use the subway to get around the city. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alice:The professors, advisers, and TAs are very accessible. I am still in touch with several of my professors and look to them as mentors. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alice:NYU is unique in that it provides many opportunities on and off campus. For students interested in on-campus life, there are a myriad of clubs and organizations, and dorms have strong communities. Dining halls are popular among freshmen, and usually after the first year, students cook for themselves and enjoy the many restaurants in NYC. Many students find jobs and internships in the city and become truly immersed in New York. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Alice:I studied Comparative Literature. The department is relatively small and students received much individualized attention. There was a great deal of support from the faculty and staff, and the university also provided many grant opportunities for students interested in research. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Alice:I made friends through my freshman residence hall and freshman seminars. My best friend in NYC is from my first Writing class at NYU! Greek life is not a big aspect of campus life. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Alice:Many big companies recruit on campus, and the Career Center was greatly helpful and accessible. I easily found jobs through the Career Center while at NYU. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Alice:The library can get a little crowded at finals time, but otherwise it was sparsely populated and my favorite place to write papers. The student union was a great place to relax, study, or hang out between classes (and it also has an amazing view down 5th Ave!). VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Alice:Its NYC! Anything and everything can be found in the city. I loved going to the museums, listening to jazz in the Village, enjoying the parks, trying new kinds of food, and generally exploring the different neighborhoods of the city. I lived off-campus in Brooklyn for my last three semesters and really enjoyed getting to know another borough. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alice:NYU has a huge student body, yet nevertheless, class size remains very small. My Literature classes were never more than 20 students; usually they were around 10-12 students, and I remember one Literature Seminar with just five students. It was great to have discussions in small classes. Some of the more general classes are much larger I remember Intro to Psychology having over 500 students, and we met in smaller groups once a week with a TA for individualized attention. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Alice: My best memories are of sitting on my advisors couch talking about literature and my thesis. I remember when I learned about her dance career prior to becoming an NYU professor; I realized the photo behind her desk of a ballerina was her! I had so many great conversations with her. Wed start talking about literature and the conversation would often shift to dance, travel, family, New York, and just about anything else. Check out Alices tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

5 Ways You May Be Creating Your Own Job Stress - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Ways You May Be Creating Your Own Job Stress - Introvert Whisperer 5 Ways You May Be Creating Your Own Job Stress When we think of work-life balance we often focus on ways to reduce the stress that our job produces.   The thinking is: if we can reduce the stress in the job then our life improves.   Good thinking.   Our job is part of our life so the more things you can do to make that part of your life work well, the better.   The problem is, many people do things to actually create the stress they are trying to deal with and don’t even realize it.   Work comes with enough stressors like deadlines, unrealistic expectations from management and surprises of all sorts.   We don’t need to add to the pile.   As with all changes we make, you must first be aware of the problem before you can do anything about it.   If you’re dealing with job stress consider these things as low-hanging fruit to quickly do away with:   1-Procrastination.    If you are the type that waits until the last minute to complete an assignment, you’re in for automatic stress.   The problem with waiting too long is that you can never predict other things that may come along to also fill up your time.   You also may discover the resources you need aren’t there when you are tight for time.           Action to take: When you get an assignment, start it then.   Get ahead of the power curve.   2-Take on too much.   If you’re the type that sees all kinds of problems and tasks to tackle, you may be taking on so much that you are creating stress.   You may need to adjust your appetite.   Sure it’s fun to do all of these things but not at the expense of creating stress.           Action to take: Sit down and prioritize your work.   Be willing to cut a few things for a while.   3-Over react.   You may think that everything someone asks of you is a top priority and you drop everything to respond to the request.   This reactive behavior creates stress.   While it is good to respond urgently to work, not everything requires your immediate attention.            Action to take: Ask questions about when it is needed so you can schedule it into your other work.   Tasks will come your way that are needed immediately and this action will create space for that to happen.   4-Not self-empowered.   This can be tricky.   Some people think they can’t speak up to management or take actions without being approved.   Granted, there are some times where this is true.   The problem is that without a certain amount of autonomy to make decisions and take independent action, you are constantly reacting and second-guessing.   It’s not a big confidence builder and is stressful.   Yet, if you are a bit timid in nature you are your own worst enemy.   You need to figure out the boundary conditions your boss has and this will help reduce your stress.             Action to take:   This will require potentially retraining yourself from being reluctant or timid so start small to create some confidence.   Start by picking out a  smaller project or problem to solve and then test your decision with the boss.   As new ones come along,   use each one as an opportunity to identify where the hot buttons are for the boss.   Ask questions and voice your opinions.   You will soon learn that you can voice your opinions and act independently on many more things than you might realize.   5-No time.   Huh?   It seems in life and work, few things happen exactly as we think.   Most of the time, people and processes just don’t get done when we think.   Traffic turns bad at the drop of a hat and people make decisions you don’t expect.   Usually, this means that your time will be impacted â€" in the wrong way.           Action to take:   Plan extra time into your activities so you can reduce the stress that comes with running out of time.   If you think it will take you 20 minutes to get somewhere, plan on 25.   If you think it will take you 4 days to complete a project, plan on 5 and schedule accordingly.   Even if you don’t always need the extra bits of time you planned for, you will discover that the occasional “breather” you give yourself will allow you to “de-stress”.   You will also discover that you will build the greater personal brand when you consistently deliver on time, every time. Life and work are never stress-free.   It’s just a fact of life.   Yet, there are things we can do to help keep stress at a minimum. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Understanding Guitar Tabs the Easy Way.

Understanding Guitar Tabs the Easy Way. How, then, Do You Read Guitar Tablature? ChaptersWhat is a Guitar Tab?Special Symbols for TabsWhere Can You Find Easy Guitar Tabs?If you want to learn how to play the guitar but you don't know any music theory and reading music is impossible for you, there’s a great alternative. These we call guitar tabs - or tablature.Whatever your nationality or playing level, guitar tabs are easy to read for everyone. They are not dependent on the vocabulary of sheet music, they are pictorial, and they are relevant to classical guitar, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar alike.A lot of guitar players use them because they are simple, straightforward, and get you knowing how to play guitar - and how to play your favorite guitar songs - in no time.So, how do you read guitar tabs? Are there universal symbols for everyone to understand? Are there online guitar tutorials to learn how to read tabs - or are they best picked up in a formal guitar lesson or guitar course?Superprof has put it all together for you so that you can learn this meth od of playing the guitar.It’s no longer necessary to learn to read music in order to play the guitar. Nowadays guitarists often read their music on tabs.Although they have a few drawbacks, tabs are quick and easy to learn and you can share many different types of   guitar music with fellow musicians. If you want to learn licks, guitar chords, a chord progression, or the pentatonic scale, tab is probably the easiest way for the beginner guitar player to do it!If you’ve already taken a few guitar lessons for beginners, then you’ll know that reading tabs is necessary for any guitarist worthy of the title - as it is an important way,alongside standard notation, to share written music with other guitar players.What’s Tab Then?Tabs are a specialized and simplified way of reading music for a specific instrument. You can find tabs for piano, guitar, bass guitar, and even drums.In terms of guitar, tab provides a visual representation of the fretboard. Unlike standard music notation, which uses a stave of five lines with the placement of a symbol on a different line signifying a different pitch, tab gives you a number on one of six lines.The six lines represent the fret board - and the number shows on which fret you should place your finger. So, if there is a '1' on the top line of the tab, you put your index finger in that box on the guitar neck on the thinnest string. If there is no number on a string, don't play that string!The benefit of this, for guitarists, is that the notes of a different guitar chord, arpeggio, or lead guitar lick, can be played in a different place on the neck of the guitar. Standard notation does not show the different places where these can be played - leaving that decision up to the musician - but tab does, showing the best guitar position or the most easy guitar position to play this at.Reading the tab on its own isn’t difficult. You read it from left to right just like any other piece of music, and when you get to the end of the line you go down to the next one and continue following the notes in the same direction.In fact, learning to read tabs is as essential to learning rhythm  and both are fundamental guitar playing!Playing Chords from a Guitar Tab.As we said, each string is represented by a line on the tab, meaning that there are six lines. But, as we know about the guitar, we don't just play one string at a time.Rather, the six strings of a guitar were designed to be played together. We can read the main chords - power chords, barre chords, open chords (the most basic chords), jazz chords - by looking at where on the tab different numbers on different lines are presented as one above the other. This will tell you that they need to be played simultaneously.Once you have developed your dexterity through the basic chord shapes, tab provides a really easy way to see how chords are constructed all over the neck.You just need to follow the tab and see where to put your fingers!The Quirks of Guitar TabsNonet heless, guitar tabs do have several unique features of which you must be aware:Most tabs don’t have any indication regarding the speed or rhythm at which you should play. The ones that do - that you can see in anything from jazz guitar to rhythm guitar, chord progressions to guitar solos - use the rhythmic notation of standard musical notation.The tab is broken up into measures, but it is very rare to know the rhythm to play the guitar.The best advice is to really listen to the piece of music that you’re trying to play. Notice how it is structured, and how many counts are in each measure (ninety of rock, pop and folk songs have four beats, or are in 4/4 time).Recognize guitar tabs to improve your guitar playing!Symbols that denote rhythm are written like this: ‘w’ for a whole note, ‘h’ for a half note, ‘e’ for an eighth note, and ’s’ for a sixteenth note.If there’s a dot after a letter like ’w’, that means that you need to hold the note for half of its leng th again.Special Symbols for TabsWhether you want to play Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton, Metallica or Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd, you're going to come across some strange notation that you might not immediately recognise.You’ll notice that there are many different symbols on tabs that tell you how to play the notes or link them together.It’s important to learn to recognize the symbols by heart so that reading them becomes second nature. This way you can perfectly reproduce your favorite songs and play your arpeggios on the guitar - without having to stop and think about what each one means when you are playing whichever song.These are different guitar techniques or guitar tricks that make up the more sophisticated parts of rock guitar, blues guitar, and solo guitar.Here are a few of the most common symbols.Hammer-OnsTo play a hammer-on, you need to play a string, let it vibrate, and forcefully place, or 'hammer', another finger on a fret on the same string. What h appens in this hammering is that you play a different, higher, note without actually plucking it with your right hand.Hammer-ons are often represented by the letter ‘h’, and are written between the first fret you play and the one on which you’re doing a hammer on. (for example, 4h9 means strum the 4th fret and then the 9th).Sometimes the ‘h’ can also be replaced by a ^ (4^9).Pull-OffsPlaying a pull-off is the opposite of a hammer-on.To play a pull-off, pull your fingers away quickly from the fret in order to create a lower note.Learn to play with guitar tabs.Pull-offs are generally represented by ‘p’ and are placed between the first fret you play and the one on which you’re performing a pull-off.An example could be written as either 8p6.Practise your tabs during bass guitar lessons.BendsBends are performed by pushing a string after playing a note, in order to change the note while staying on the same fret.Bends are generally indicated by a curved arrow and then a not ation like ‘ ½â€™ or  â€˜ ¼â€™ or ‘full’ to tell you how to change the note.If the arrow curves back on itself, or is marked by an ‘R’ for ‘bend and return’, that means that you should go back to the original note after you perform the bend.Another way of writing a bend is with ‘b’ where it is placed between the first note to play, and the second that sounds due to the bend (for example 10b12).The letter ‘r’ for return could also be added to this combination, telling you to return to the original pitch (8b10r8).SlidesTo play a slide, you slide along the string from one fret to another, either to get a higher sound (slide up) or a lower one (slide down), by continuing to hold the string down.Slide ups are noted by a ‘/‘  and a slide down as ‘’  as with 6/86.You can also play slides  legato, meaning a slide where you don’t use your pick for the first note of the slide.The note sounds natural, without any effect.Slide is a symbol on guitar tab.Some guita rists think that you should also avoid using a pick on the base note, but the most important thing is to play without leaving a gap between the two notes.Another feature of the slide is the slide and shift, where you play a note on the same string instead of on another string, so that only one sounds at once.This will also help you to avoid having to change your guitar strings too often.This is marked in tabs as ’S’.Less common symbolsOther less common symbols are also important to recognize in tabs. Recognizing them is an important part of getting the right sound as you work on improving your guitar technique.'~'VibratoBend and relax a string to modulate the pitch slightly on long held notes.'S' or 'T'Slap, or ThumbA technique common in bass guitar where you slap the string with the thumb of your right hand.'PM'Palm MuteWith your right hand, you muffle the strings at the bridge - to give a crunchier sound.'X'MuteHere you will want to completely stop the sound of a particular st ring.' /'TremoloA number between two slashes requires you to use the whammy bar - changing the pitch of the note by the value of the number noted.'t'TappingWhere you tap on the neck with your right hand.To learn to read guitar tabs, the most important thing to do is to stay motivated at guitar.Where Can You Find Easy Guitar Tabs?The internet is swimming with different guitar tabs to help people play songs. The songs to tab ratio is fairly huge, with hundreds of different tabs available for every different song. For a first guitar tab, you can just pick the best reviewed ones. But, as you improve your ear training, you'll be able to discern the difference in quality of tabs by just listening.But, in the meantime, here are some great places to find some easy tabs.The Internet.As we said, the internet is full of guitar tabs - which you can either find in Notepad-style text, or else in specialised computer programmes. These latter, such as Guitar Pro or TablEdit, are hugely useful things that c ombine tab with traditional sheet music.They can play back the tabs to you too, so you know exactly how you are supposed to play the rhythm.A Guitar Teacher.If you start guitar lessons, either online guitar lessons or in person, one of the main ways that your teacher will aid you is by giving you music to learn. And if you are playing acoustic guitars or electric guitars, you will be provided with tab (classical guitarists usually use standard notation!).Alongside all the theory of the major chord and major scale, and the techniques of fingerstyle, fingerpicking, and improvisation, your teacher will be able to guide you through practicing tabs too. Knowing whether to use your middle finger or first finger on the first string or second string, and how best to develop your guitar skills using tab.Make Tabs Yourself.If you are feeling ambitious, you can try and make the tabs yourself. This comes from listening to the music you want to play and writing it down. This process is known as transcription - and it can be the only way to learn some songs, as sometimes the tabs aren't available!Give it a go!

How To Prepare For GRE Subject Tests

How To Prepare For GRE Subject Tests The sooner you figure out exactly what it is you want to do, the better. Then, you can start marketing yourself as a budding chemist (for example). And that is exactly how to perk up a grad school admissions counselor. Graduate schools dont want students who are still trying to figure out what they want to do. They want students who are set on a field, and are now doing everything they can to get there. Theres one simple way to show youre one of those students: take a GRE subject test. A GRE subject test measures your knowledge/analytical thinking skills in a specific field and is much more specialized than the standard sections of the GRE (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing). Students can take subject tests in the field they majored in during undergraduate school. The GRE offers subject tests in these following areas (click each for additional information): Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Literature in English Mathematics Physics Psychology Click here for preparation materials from the Educational Testing Service (the creator and administrator of the GRE) for each subject test. The ETS will mail additional materials to you once you apply for the test. Doing well in a GREmay even help you pick up some lost ground in a section you did poorly on. Say youre a wiz psychologist, but youre vocab is incredibly poor. So, you score very low on the Verbal Reasoning section, but very high on Psychology Subject Test. Your chances of getting into a grad school psychology department may even be better than someone who slightly outperformed you on the three standard tests but opted not take the Psychology Subject Test. Remember, at most grad schools, admissions decisions are made by the individual departments you would be applying to, comprised mostly of faculty members and sometimes even students. So, what section do you think those admissions groups are going to look at first? Most are placing more weight to your subject test than your standard score but not all of them. When you apply to a specific GRE program, it looks at your transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement, interview, etc., all to answer one question: will this student be successful in the field they are applying for? If yes, youre in. If no, youre not. At some schools, it really is that simple. Performing well on a subject test may answer that question better than any other factor in your application. But, before you take the GRE, contact your prospective schools and ask them if they require a subject test and how they consider it. Total subject test time is about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Every question is worth equal value, and for every four questions you answer incorrectly, you will lose one correct answer (or each incorrect answer subtracts 1/4th of what a correct answer is worth). Only guess if you can eliminate one or more of the choices.

Analyzing Math Anxiety

Analyzing Math Anxiety Researchers at the Numerical Cognition Lab and The University of Chicago have been analyzing the causes of math anxiety. This is a situation familiar to many K-12 students, who seem to freeze when they see a math problem. Their research shows that the anxiety of math teachers and parents can rub off on their students, ultimately affecting theirlearning. Fortunately, proven classroom methods have also been tested to reduce students' anxiety of doing mathematics. These tips include: Focus on learning the process behind math concepts, rather than merely trying to get a right answer. Similarly, don't refer to the textbook's answer key very often. Instead, value the problem and have students arrive at their own answers. Encourage every student to work on the problem on paper. This is in contrast to more traditional methods where one student raises his/her hand, blurts out the answer, and then the teacher promptly moves on to the next question. Give students time to make mistakes, realize their own mistakes, and then time to attempt problems multiple times. Read the full article describing the research here.

Finding Your Sound (of Music) as a Singer

Finding Your Sound (of Music) as a Singer Suzy S. Being a professional musician is a lifelong learning process. Even with years of experience, the best musicians seek out ways to improve at all times, such as by attending festivals and training programs. This summer, Philadelphia teacher Claire B. attended the AlpenKammerMusik Festival in Austria, exactly for this reason. Check out her story here Hi! I’m Claire and I teach voice lessons with TakeLessons. When new people ask me what I do and I say “I’m an opera singer” or “I sing classical music,” they nearly always ask, “Oh, where can I see you? Are you singing at the opera downtown?” That’s a tough question to answer. The thing is, even though I’m nearing 30 and have my Master’s degree, I’m not yet a full professional and I don’t have major singing jobs yet. Opera singers have to work their way up, and it’s a long haul. Most of us don’t have a fully developed voice until we are 32 or older, and that leaves us in limbo for a few years. Community theater, summer opera festivals, and training programs help us get experience as our voices settle and we perfect our singing. Working and studying in Europe is an option as well, since the audience is bigger for opera and there are more opportunities. I spent some time this August in Austria at an amazing chamber music festival and I wanted to share my experience with you. For two weeks, I spent about six to seven hours every day in rehearsal with other musicians and in solo practice, surrounded by the Austrian Alps. We were in Liesing, right next to the Tyrol (a.k.a. The Sound of Musics “The Hills are Alive” land!), and it was so small that they didn’t even have their own grocery store! The remoteness of the place let us really focus on our music assignments. Each morning, I’d get up early to go hike along the mountain road behind our rooms, and then have breakfast in the Gasthaus (guest-house, bed and breakfast). It was wonderful to be inspired every morning looking down on the valley and breathing in the morning mist. We used the Folk Music Academy building for our rehearsal space, and the hotel down the hill housed the performance area. I sang one piece by Ravel called Chansons madécasse (Madagascar songs) with piano, cello, and flute. It was so challenging, with tempo changes, random key shifts, and at times with me holding the piece together or singing totally alone. It’s not your usual classical piece with a full sound all the time, and it was such a good lesson on learning to trust your own ear while still keeping other totally sporadic parts in mind! We all came so far as a group in only 6 or 7 rehearsals. I also worked on song cycles by Schumann, Schubert, and a contemporary composer named Lori Laitman. The latter composer wrote a very moving piece using poetry by children in Theresienstadt, the model concentration camp in Czechoslovakia in World War II. There was a great emphasis on the text, and that set really helped me understand delivering a poem clearly and with meaning. Songs of any kind change when you mean every word. I wouldn’t trade my experience here for anything. I grew as a singer and performer, and I made great new friends as well as musical contacts on two continents! Hopefully all of us young professionals will benefit in the future from our time in Austria! Like this post? Join the TakeLessons community and receive exclusive updates, expert advice, tips and more!  Sign up for email updates here! Claire B. teaches singing, Broadway singing, performance, music theory, and opera voice lessons to students in Philadelphia, PA. She joined the TakeLessons team in October 2011, with her Bachelors degree in Music Education and a Masters degree in Vocal Pedagogy and Teaching. Find out more about Claire, or visit TakeLessons to search for a teacher near you!