If you're at a place in your music career where you're not yet looking for a manager or booking agent to get you performance opportunities, I want to share a few ideas you can use to create your own.
There are so many ways to gain experience in performances near you and in a digital setting. The key to securing these opportunities is simply networking and research.
Schools and Universities are a great place to start when it comes to getting performance practice. Consider joining a choir or group not only to perform but also to grow as a musician and network.
This isn't limited to children and teens. Many University students are adults that have registered for classes or volunteered their talents to the music programs.
Related Post: How To Build Confidence For Singing On Stage
Churches are always looking for performers to help in services. The church setting is not only a great place to practice, but it's also a very friendly environment that is perfect for beginners who are nervous about getting in front of a crowd.
No one is going to boo you off-stage in church!
Similar to church settings, another great way to perform at the beginning of your career is for friends and family events like parties, weddings, and funerals.
The pressure is not as strong as it would be in more professional settings, and you can also get in front of a new audience with friends of your friends. Performing in important events like weddings and funerals can also help you learn to perform with emotion.
Local open mics and even karaoke bars can also be a great way to get in front of an audience and work on your performance skills.
The audience here will be a step up in terms of difficulty from a church or family event since it will likely be you performing in front of a bunch of strangers. This also can provide you with a great networking opportunity.
Related Post: How To Find An Open Mic Night Near You
Local and international singing contests are always going on. A quick visit to Google or a classified site can help you find contests that may fit your needs.
Currently, with the pandemic, I haven't seen much about in-person contests, but I hope they will be making their way back within a few years.
Related Post: Cute Outfit Ideas For Female Performers
Live streaming on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit Live is really good for getting experience and visibility in the creative art niche.
While this works best for those who already have a large network of friends, family, and fans, live streams can also push your content above others on the news feed since social media sites prioritize live-streaming posts.
In addition to finding contests, classifieds can help connect you with other musicians and performance opportunities.
Sites like Craigslist have a musician section where oftentimes, people are just looking for like-minded music lovers for jam sessions. Again, great for networking and a low-pressure environment!
Check with your local community center to see if they have any music-related events on their calendars.
Community centers are often looking for volunteers to help out and perform for local family-friendly events, especially around the summertime.
Related Post: 20 Best Cities For Musicians Looking To Find A Great Music Scene
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
