When to say yes to unpaid work (and when to stop)

opera singer showing empty pockets as she sings, while a guitarist looks on and accompanies her

There are teachers and colleagues who will always tell fellow vocalists that a professional never works for free — and that position isn’t wrong, exactly, but it ignores semantics and situational details. “Never” doesn’t account for passion projects, learning opportunities, family culture (!), or judgment calls that don’t fit neatly into a rule. Every singer … Read more