Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria Valdes Vocalist & Entrepreneur. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Maria Valdes, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Working with feelings of imposter syndrome continues to be part of my inner work as an artist. Early in my career I was accepted into the Merola Opera Program and Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera. At those programs I was usually the youngest person in the room and often felt less experienced than my colleagues and less deserving of opportunities. As I have progressed through my career I have come to realize that most artists have similar insecurities and that the driving force behind imposter syndrome is a desire to be the best that you can be. I now embrace those feelings as a guidepost that tells me I’m committed to constantly improving and honoring the music. I also utilize the technique of reframing thoughts to be more positive. For instance, if a thought such as “You are not good enough to be here” arises, I will reframe the thought to “You are showing up and doing the best you can. The insecurities you have are a normal response to the pressures of wanting to perform at your highest level. Many people share these feelings with you!” In this way, we can meet difficult feelings with grace and compassion, and also extend that compassion to colleagues.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a vocalist specializing in operatic and symphonic repertoire for soprano. I am a graduate of the Merola Opera Program and Adler Fellowship with the San Francisco Opera and have performed as a soloist at venues across the country. Most notably, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Phoenix Symphony, Atlanta Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Atlanta Symphony, Hawaii Opera Theatre and The Metropolitan Opera. I’m currently based in my hometown of Atlanta, GA but will soon be moving to Honolulu! I am passionate about classical singing in all forms, from opera to symphonic to solo recitals. The most important part of classical music performance is the stories that span centuries that are still so important for audiences today. I sing as a way to connect with my colleagues and audience members, so that they might feel transported into a story that is cathartic or inspiring. Live performance is one of the few times people are fully present with each other, away from electronic devices and the chaos of life.
During the pandemic I began to expand my skillset into the computer science world, and earned a certificate of Data Science & Analytics from Georgia Institute of Technology. This opened a whole world up to me and inspired me to get involved in tech businesses that are helping artists. I am now the managing director for arts media company, Emitha LLC, and am currently developing an app TBA which will help artists all over the country. I love merging my skillsets to serve the greater artistic community!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
From a technical perspective, the most important knowledge in my journey was musicianship and a solid foundation in German, French and Italian. The ability to learn music and memorize quickly has been an integral part of being able to take on new roles and last-minute opportunities. The most important skill has been time-management. When you are self-employed you have to take charge of your schedule and pace performing with rest and preparation time. This can be a very difficult thing to juggle in the early years! From a personal development perspective, the most impactful skill has been developing resilience and an inner sense of worth that cannot be impacted by rejection, opinions or criticism. There are many times when feedback can feel debilitating or important industry professionals have conflicting advice. Inner worth and knowing what your artistic values are in any situation will guide you through times that feel unstable.
My advice to artists early on is to become experts on your field while you still have time to immerse yourself in learning and study. Spend time developing technique and most of all singing in a way that feels good with repertoire you are excited to sing. Become very clear on your values and definitions of success, and seek mentorship from teachers or colleagues that have aligned values.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One of my absolute favorite books for performance is Amy Cuddy’s “Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges.” Amy Cuddy caught the attention of tens of millions of viewers around the world with her TED talk about “power poses.” In this book she presents the science underlying these and many other fascinating body-mind effects, and teaches us how to use simple techniques to liberate ourselves from fear in high-pressure moments, perform at our best, and connect with and empower others to do the same. The book is filled with stories of individuals who learned how to flourish during the stressful moments that once terrified them. I love this quote from her book:
“The way you carry yourself is a source of personal power—the kind of power that is the key to presence. It’s the key that allows you to unlock yourself—your abilities, your creativity, your courage, and even your generosity. It doesn’t give you skills or talents you don’t have; it helps you to share the ones you do have. It doesn’t make you smarter or better informed; it makes you more resilient and open. It doesn’t change who you are; it allows you to be who you are.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mvsoprano.com
- Instagram: mariavaldes_official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariaValdesSoprano
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mariavvaldes
- Twitter: n/a
- Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC8RM8Ltd0KbkKZ2SYjBIc2Q/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D
- Yelp: n/a
- SoundCloud: n/a
- Other: n/a
Image Credits
Rafterman for the Atlanta Opera Kristen Loken Ken Howard
