dear dreams, its time to let go?

Question

am 20 years old. I am a soph in a pretigious, ivy league college. I am majoring in bussiness and am at the top of my class. I am supposed to go to law school after everything, because in my family I am aloud to be a doctor or a lawyer.

I have been an aspiring musician my entire life and could sing better before i could talk. I had the luxury of being in some shows here and there and took vocal lessons till i was a senior in high school and at the time i was auditioning for college conservatories. I sadly was informed that i was suffering for a 50% hearing loss and no conservatory would le tme in as a performance major.

All i have ever wanted to do is perform. All i ever envisioned myself was on stage.
Reality is hitting me because i have to start looking for a future occupation. I am broken. I havent trained in 2 years and i my voice has lost its strength and whenever i try to get into dance classes they are filled with girls who have been dancing for yrs. and they put me down

constantly and i stopped attending the classes. Nothing i do seems good enough because I lost two years. I have forever, wanted to go to NYC and audition for broadway but because i have gone two years without instructiion i feel as if i will be worse off. its time i throw the towl in.... i just have the worst time thinking about it and letting go of all the dreams i spent nights thinking about....

Answer 1

I encourage you to pursue both, to pursue law or business or medicine, while also performing in any opportunity you find for theatre, music, dance, and even poetry.

Today, music, arts, and multimedia technology provide more opportunity to experiment with alternative expression, and not necessarily follow traditional rules. You certainly don't need to compete with other people, but need to find your own voice and style and preferences. Please don't make yourself miserable trying to be like other people you are not. Be yourself, stick to what works for you, and you will find your way. If you look for a path that only works for other people, of course you will be frustrated and depressed because that's not you!

Many creative writers and artists have a background in law, and use their experiences dealing with real-life conflict to draw from when they write or perform. It is highly recommended to have a business background if you are going to start your own company, even a nonprofit arts group, which still requires good business and financial management.

It could be you are running into these walls because you are meant to take a different angle instead of the traditional route that other people take. I would try looking for alternative venues, performance art, modern dance, anything that mixes media and moves away from traditional training and expectations. Many artists prefer the freedom to create their own work and not to follow along with everyone else. Don't limit yourself. Try different things, and you will find what works for you.

If you still feel unsure, please email me. I would like to know more about what your interests are, and maybe we can share ideas. I also recommend craigslist.org and myspace for networking with other creative types. Have you ever considered writing or producing your own material. If you can find other people you relate to, in the same or related arts, you can form your own production team or dance troupe. The field is wide open, and you can do whatever you feel most inspired to do. Follow your heart and remember that any closed door means another one is opening down the hall.

Take care and keep looking for ways to combine your best skills and favorite talents. You can do it all!

Answer 2

Okay, first you need to get over your depression, because your tone is awfully down. To have a career in performing requires resiliency and a positive, confident attitude.

Always try. It's better to try and fail then to look back 20 years from now saying "if only I had tried..." What's the worst that can happen? You give it a shot, you wait a lot of tables, you see what happens....if you're not landing jobs within 3 years, then it's time to find a new career. At least you'll know you gave it your best shot. You may find that the idea in your head and the reality of the career don't mesh....that happened to my sister.

Ignore those girls in the dance class and any other naysayers if this is what you truly want more than anything else in the world. Go for it!

Answer 3

have you been to the ENT for a hearing device? If you experience 50% hearing loss, you must compensate for it, otherwise your life is spent "half in the dark". this is not a ggod place to be.
I sympathize with your sorrow. You have been heard, as the other posters here have graciously demonstrated. Their advice and words of comfort are something to build o n.
If I may add my bits: continue your studies, but resume your training, if time allows, and after you have been helped by a hearing aid. ( Most of us wear glasses without feeling anything out of the ordinary about it, and a hearing aid fulfills the same fucntion. Be glad they exist!)
When you feel that your voice is back in shape, then is the time to approach the question of auditioning or not. It is absolutley foolhardy to audition when you are not in shape.
Also, if you have the time, there ought to be a wonderful opportunity to sing in the form of the College Chorus. Some of the Ivy League choruses have high standards, and if you wish to further hone your musical skills, there it is.
I don't know about the Broadway world as much as I do about opera, but I do know ther have been many people who finished their degrees in law, chemistry, business, architecture, before entering their operatic careers. Mind you, they trained assiduosly during those college years as well- one doesn't jump form one to the other without having trained and performed.
Please have your hearing re-assessed and helped. Then look for ways to cheer yourself up as in taking lessons, singing in the chorus, etc. You will find as your confidence and skill returns so do the possibilities present themselves.
Best wishes

Answer 4

Hi, I'm now 58 years old, and I did a lot of very different things in my life, musically. In my younger years, I used to play electric guitar, very loud, Jimi Hendrix style. As a result, I have a hearing deficiency of about 70% in the range of 1000-4000 Htz and a tinnitus of 60 dB at 4000 Htz. But about seven years ago, I started taking voice lessons in classical singing again, which I already had persued for about three years in my early teens. I can only state that, despite my hearing problems, my intonation is perfect, and I'm now occasionally singing opera/operetta arias with orchestra, piano trios etc.

What the doctors told you about your hearing loss is just what they can MEASURE. However, what is more important is your capability of analytical hearing . So, no reason to give up your dreams. Anyway, it is a known fact that many musicians in orchestras have hearing problems as a result of their daily exposure to high volume levels of sound...

Btw, regarding the psychological side, I can only support what the other people wrote here. They all seem to speak with one voice: NEVER GIVE UP, and this speaks for itself...

Answer 5

Don't let go of your dreams! Start practicing again. Audition for anything you can get your hands on. Follow your dreams. And no matter what, don't give up.

Yes, you're going to have people tell you you're not good enough, or not what they're looking for. But you can't give up. Believe in yourself. Don't let go. You can be whatever you want, just keep the hope.

Good luck, much hope

Answer 6

How approximately existence in a womb? that's point a million of existence, existence in this international is point 2, death is point 3. existence in hell or heaven is point 4 after resurrection. So i think of the appropriate thank you to comprehend death and the form you would be in it, is think of a few toddler's existence in a womb. A person has 2 aspects that are the physique and the soul, although after death, someone has basically one element that's the soul. of direction the physique isn't something and not utilising a soul and as a result the physique perishes quickly after being buried. The soul nevertheless has its ability of feeling, understanding and determining even after death. perhaps greater useful than whilst alive. God knows greater valuable. that's thus far as i recognize.

Answer 7

Don't let go of your dreams. Probably all these things that are going on that seem to hinder you from reaching for your dreams are just tests of your strength of character. Don't lose hope, be glad that your dreams are still yours, its the only thing that will keep you going in the long run. You say that its over only if you want it to be. Be strong! And don't be afraid to ask for help.

Answer 8

Oh geez. Take it from a fellow Ivy Leaguer, one who DID table his dreams for all the same reasons you're thinking of - DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DREAMS. Go for the music, the theater, the performing, the thing that makes you happy and gives you life.