Intensive opera training program effects: A psychological investigation

Abstract

Opera singers face psychological and occupational demands that often compromise well-being and career satisfaction. In this repeated measures study, professional and pre-professional opera singers participated in either a two-week or four-week intensive training program that was designed to enhance performance skills. Curriculum was taught in an integrative and psychologically supportive environment where singers worked musically, dramatically, and physically without fear of criticism. The singers were evaluated at three time points, immediately preceding the training program, immediately following the completion of the program, and six months after the completion of the program. Results demonstrated that the singers in both the two-week and four-week groups increased their ability to achieve optimal performance, emotional regulation, and self-esteem, and decreased internalized shame, trait perfectionism, and trait anxiety. These findings are important given that opera singers are vulnerable to anxiety disorders and that their career is demanding and unpredictable.