vocal education to the highest degree to

Question:Okay so I previously asked this question in the "Singing" section but I only got 2 responses and I still haven't satisfied yet so I wanna ask again here. Hopefully I can get some good reply here.

I know that u have to go to college/university to study vocal/opera. But do you have to be on post-graduate degree to be an opera singer? Can't someone just have an undergraduate diploma and have a successful opera career? Or even doesn't have any music academic degree at all yet still able to become a famous opera star?

Coz I notice that most opera stars continue their vocal/musical education AT LEAST until post-graduate degree. Is it a necessary thing in order to get jobs in major opera houses/companies? Do those opera houses/companies pay significant attention to that sort of thing? Supposedly an opera singer, despite how talented he/she is, doesn't have a high music degree, will he/she experience difficulty/problems finding singing jobs in opera houses esp the major houses/companies?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Okay so I previously asked this question in the "Singing" section but I only got 2 responses and I still haven't satisfied yet so I wanna ask again here. Hopefully I can get some good reply here.

I know that u have to go to college/university to study vocal/opera. But do you have to be on post-graduate degree to be an opera singer? Can't someone just have an undergraduate diploma and have a successful opera career? Or even doesn't have any music academic degree at all yet still able to become a famous opera star?

Coz I notice that most opera stars continue their vocal/musical education AT LEAST until post-graduate degree. Is it a necessary thing in order to get jobs in major opera houses/companies? Do those opera houses/companies pay significant attention to that sort of thing? Supposedly an opera singer, despite how talented he/she is, doesn't have a high music degree, will he/she experience difficulty/problems finding singing jobs in opera houses esp the major houses/companies?

I'll allow myself to summarize your question. You've been asking: Is there any particular need for standard / regular education that you need in order to establish yourself as a professional opera singer?
My answer to you is: YES YOU NEED EDUCATION BUT NOT A SPECIFIC ONE
Explanation: If one wants to pursue a career in the opera music one first needs to be a professional. That means that you have to take lessons from a specialist / teacher. There is no other way of doing it. You can pay for this service in a lot of ways. You can attain a university, you can bring the lessons in your home or take them in the teacher's home that doesn't matter. The essential thing is that you need a very good teacher therefore that will cost you a great deal of money at any rate. Your success will varies in accordance with your talent and the effort that you put in the lessons. If you never took lessons you'll need years, how many I do not know for I've never heard you. At some point of the education you'll, eventually, be able to study and improve yourself alone only with a piano but until that grateful time arrives you'll still need a teacher's support.
It will be fair to tell you that to became a good musician is indeed very difficult task. But if you got the talent and do your job with precision it will be a walk in the park.
You need NO PARTICULAR education whatsoever, nevertheless you need some coming from a celebrated teacher.

Well, the post-grad degree looks better on a resume, and since so many singers earn one, the competition is fierce.

Then again, Luciano Pavarotti, AFAIK, had no formal college course work--he just took voice lessons from some pretty good teachers.

Thing is, regardless of your formal education, making it in opera requires that you continue to polish your musical talents for your entire career. Singers are the one type of musician who absolutely must retain a private coach up to retirement (or nearly--maybe skip lessons in the final year). This is mostly because your own voice sounds different to you than to others, and only a teacher can help you adjust your vocal tone.

OK, here is the "straight scoop" from a university professor and professional opera singer.

As a performer, nobody cares WHAT degree you have. Many famous singers have no degree, or a degree outside of music. Oddly enough, having a doctorate in music (as I do) is seen as a handicap and singers who have one keep quiet about it!

What IS important is that you get the training that you need. It is not hard to find someone to give you voice lessons, but it is harder to get stage experience, language training, etc. outside of an academic institution. It is not impossible, though, especially in big cities.

Now, all of that being said, I really like to see singers get at least a master's degree. If you are EVER going to teach (and most singers will at some point), then that will be an important credential to have.

Good luck to you!