Oh, yes, most certainly. Neither I or my teacher who quoted that would disagree. Both of my main teachers had international careers in opera, performing major roles in such houses as Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe, San Francisco Opera, Munich Stattsoper, Carnegie Hall, etc. opposite some of the greatest singers like Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanewa, Jennie Tourel, Sherril Milnes, Frederica von Stade, Samuel Ramey and for conductors like Boulez, Sawallisch, Tilson-Thomas, Solti, Von Karajan, etc. They didn’t have the time to teach while they were busy performing around the world, but once they slowed down their engagements and eventually retired all together, they began to teach. Both of my teachers are now in their 70s. They still have their voices and although I have heard their voices in their prime on professional recordings, I still think the voices are beautiful. But they are honest with themselves and know their voices are not what they were in their prime. They are still masters in terms of knowing what is good and what is not and they know their techniques inside and out, but now can only teach since they are no longer at their personal level of vocal perfection . They “can’t” now, so they “teach”. When they “could”, they would “do”.
Some people who are performing have time to teach. I’m still a young singer and I don’t know if I’ll ever have a really busy international career like my teachers. I don’t really have the ambition to be an international singer anymore because I now have a family and I know what it takes to do that. There was a point early on where I was at a crossroads to either give myself completely to music and not be married or have a family, or to have a family and have a more modest career. I knew myself well enough to know I couldn’t have both. I chose the latter. It was a choice I don’t regret. I will go overseas once in a while, but not like I wanted to in the past. I don’t want to be away from my young children too much and would rather have a regional/local career. If God wants me to have more, I will accept it. He led me to this path, as much as I tried to fight it in the beginning. Singing was definitely a spiritual calling for me.
So, I do have a little time on my hands to take a couple students. Not many as I don’t want to take away from my performing opportunities, but teaching actually helps me understand my technique better as well. It’s a win-win.
