Today’s Notable Young Professional is Charles Sy, one of Canada’s most promising young opera singers at the Canadian Opera Company. We caught up with him to find out what it’s like to sing in front of an audience of 2000 people for the first time and what advice he would share with other young professionals…
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Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I am a professional opera singer. Essentially, I am an expert in extremely sophisticated screaming and spend most of my time being a storyteller.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
As a young emerging opera singer, my main goal right now is to get the best training I can possibly get.
After winning both First Prize and the Audience Choice Prize last year at the Centre Stage Gala, I was offered a contract to be a part of the Ensemble Studio at the Canadian Opera Company. This is one of if not the best opportunities a young aspiring opera singer can get in Canada and it was a no brainer that I would accept. It was definitely one of the best decisions of my life.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
My daily schedule involves meeting and working with some of the top international coaches and conductors, but what I love most of all is working with the other singers who come through the building.
These are other people who were once in your position and have “made it” and are making huge careers for themselves. Everyone I have met so far has been so kind and they are so open to sharing their past experiences and advice for surviving in this crazily difficult career path. It is intense and exhilarating and I would have it no other way.
The most difficult day-to-day challenge is definitely the exhaustion. I have never had to sing so much at such a high standard in my entire life. The training is meant to push you to your limits so that you can gain the stamina and mental fortitude to survive and push through whilst in the height of your career.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
As a singer, the future is always this looming thing in the distance which is dark and ominous. I would like to say that I will be travelling all over the world and gaining new operatic experiences, but who really knows? All I can focus on is developing my own craft and being ready for any opportunities that come my way. Everyone has their own path to success and even if it takes me my entire life, I’m sure there is one out there for me somewhere.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
The funny thing about being a singer is that we are one of the only musicians who have to learn how to use our instrument while literally building it at the same time. It is an extremely frustrating process in which no matter how much you progress technically, your voice will continue to change as your body naturally matures. At the same time, as a young singer, my voice is not fully mature yet. There are so many variables in any career that you simply cannot control. All you can do is acknowledge what it is you can change and focus on that. I began employing a lot of positive self-talk in my performances and would speak positive affirmations before I performed. At the end of the day, everything is cumulative, even if it sometimes feels like you are taking three huge steps backwards. Zooming out and thinking long-term always helps me when I get frustrated with my development.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
I believe it was Luciano Pavarotti who said something along the lines of “Money is one of the least important things in the world, unless you have none of it.” At the end of the day, of course I acknowledge the importance of money as a tool to survive in our society. However, if I am able to support myself and my family with the income I make from doing what I love, then I will consider that a major success.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
That definitely would have to be competing in the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio Competition at Centre Stage.
Most people who saw that competition do not realize that until that moment I had never sung in a space with over 2,000 seats before. Opera singers do not use any sort of amplification, so a big part of our job is getting used to projecting in all sorts of different spaces and acoustics. My first experience performing in such a large space happened to be during the final round of a prestigious nationwide competition so it was definitely trial by fire.
I used to be a very nervous performer and a couple of years ago I probably would have gotten onto that stage and completely froze. However, when I stepped onto that stage, I had never felt so calm in my life. I felt completely free to express myself fully in an extremely high pressure situation. That in itself was a huge achievement for me. The fact that I also won First Place and the Audience Choice Prize was a real bonus and the cherry on top.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Don’t be afraid to be your own person. As a professional musician, I joke a lot that my job involves becoming vulnerable in front of thousands of people and having everyone telling you what you are doing wrong. Yes, be open to constructive criticism, but always strive to be better on your own terms. There is always more pressure nowadays to be more this or be more that, but at the end of the day, if you are able to be proud of what it is you are doing, someone else will too.
Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
I do not drink alcohol but one of my favourite restaurants in the city is CopaCabana Brazillian Steakhouse. It is a great atmosphere where the servers bring you amazing cuts of meat on swords and they carve it at your table. Plus, on the weekends they have live music and exciting floor shows with performers dancing through the tables. It’s a super fun atmosphere.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
I have been fortunate enough to travel to places like Europe, California and Hawaii, but I have to say that my favourite place I have ever visited was Banff in the summer time. I prefer the much more moderate climate and it really is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I enjoyed hiking there so much that I made it my goal to climb up a mountain once every day, whether it was a small one like Tunnel Mountain or a more intense one like Sulphur Mountain.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
As cheesy as it sounds, Roar by Katy Perry. As a self-proclaimed introvert, I used to be quite passive and would have issues with taking initiative and risks in my life. So much of my life was dictated for me and it took all of my being to take the first step towards deciding to become a professional musician. It is a difficult journey but I have learned and experienced so much because of it.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
I would probably still be in med school with hopes of being a cardiologist.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
As of right now, I do not. However, now that I am finally starting to make more money as a professional singer, I really would like to support the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke foundation. My mother has survived cancer three times and currently still deals with heart failure. Those two causes are very important to me and I will definitely be making a donation soon.
What to you is notable?
Being notable to me is being true to yourself. We all have our own contributions to the world and we need to allow ourselves the freedom to accept our differences and quirks so that all facets of thought and innovation may be explored. Truly notable people have accepted themselves for who they are and strive whole-heartedly towards their true purpose in life.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Definitely iPhone! I am fully an Apple product supporter.
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