Dr. Alaina – What do you do if your teen discovers a love for an art later in high school? I feel very behind in this entire world. My daughter was mostly focused on becoming a nurse and only sang in her school and our church choirs for fun her freshman year.
Last year, the high school Show Choir director encouraged her to try out, and she made it on the team. She says she’s having more fun with it than she ever thought she would, and she feels most like herself performing. I’ve noticed she’s singing better than ever with all of the practice. She’s participating in a musical put on by one of our acting studios in town and plans to try out for her school musical this spring.
I could tell she’s been wanting to talk about something but she was holding back. I know her well enough to know not to push, and finally, she came and told me she’s pivoting and has decided no more nursing degree. Instead, she wants to major vocal performance.
As someone who was forced by her parents to major in something I didn’t have any passionate interest in doing, I’m supportive of her making the switch. But I’m really worried that by encouraging her to do this, I’m setting her up for failure. She’ll be up against teens who’ve been taking voice lessons for years and have tons of experience.
Pressure to Pick a Lane
Somewhere in the past twenty-five years or so, there was a cultural shift with regards to tweens and teens and being encouraged to be multi-passionate explorers. Whereas trying and participating in many different activities was the norm, now things feel very different to many young people – and parents. Over time a pressure to pick a lane for activities at a fairly young age and hyper-focus on that activity moving forward has become normalized.
Sports is an area that is often used as an example of this. Instead of encouraging kids to try many sports and cross-train year-round, there became a narrative that if a tween or teen was not using off-season time to continue training – and potentially playing in other leagues, they would “fall behind” their peers and no longer be competitive – or even “average” compared to peers singularly invested in the same sport.
This shift is unfortunate. The idea that by your teen years – or even the beginning of high school, that you have cut off possibilities for the future feels not only sad but restricting and short-sighted. If the developmental task of adolescence is identity development, then creating a culture that encourages teens to try as many activities and pursuits that interest them seems a logical companion to healthy, happy identity exploration.
At no point should anyone feel it is “too late” to pursue an interest in the arts. Even if a teen discovers a love for an art their senior year, supporting them in figuring out how to incorporate it into their future goals is one way of assisting them towards a productive and satisfying adulthood.
Practical Actions
Of course, there are practical actions a teen who has discovered a love for an art after starting high school can take to set themselves up for success. Here are a few suggestions for steps you can help your teen engage in to create a positive long term experience.
Take Private Lessons
If your teen is not working with an instructor one-on-one, this will be an important first step in growth and skill building. The individual focus will allow the teacher to tailor the lessons specifically to your teen’s needs, pace, and learning style. The goals can be personalized to align with your teen’s musical interests, goals, and skill level.
Private lessons will allow an expert to ensure your teen is developing proper technique and address any bad habits that may be hindering progress. Often private lessons also include some type of recital or showcase which can also help your teen prepare for solo performances.
Seek Guidance from Teachers and Mentors
Connect with your teen’s current choir and show-team instructors for guidance. They can provide valuable insights, write recommendation letters, and suggest where to begin looking for suitable college programs.
Look for other potential mentors in the community and online. These can range from students a few years older than her who have successfully matriculated into a vocal performance program as well as others who are currently working performers. Encourage your teen to have conversations about the path they have chosen and why – as well as what they wish they’d known or done differently at her age.
Explore Diverse Opportunities
Encourage participation in local events, community theater productions, and competitions. These experiences not only contribute to your teen’s skill set but also add depth to their artistic resume.
If there are limited opportunities in your community, consider seeking online opportunities for training, looking in a different community or inquiring about high-quality summer camp programs.
Understand the Alternative Options
While a traditional college is one pathway to a career in the arts, it is not the only viable approach. Encourage your teen to explore alternative options. These may include (but are not limited to) any of the following:
A Gap Year
If your teen is unsure of what program feels right at this point, would like more experience, or is unclear of their ultimate goal, a gap year may be a valuable next step.
A planned-out gap year with clear goals can be highly valuable if clear goals are established. This time may be spent in artistic exploration, skill development, gaining performance experience, and attending events, conferences, and workshops geared towards developing a strategic career path.
Specialized Training Programs
Consider alternative training programs and long-term masterminds that focus on practical skills and industry insights. These can provide a more hands-on approach to learning the ropes of the music and artistic endeavors.
Community College
Community College can be a great way to save money while simultaneously gaining experience and finishing up gen-ed requirements. If your teen isn’t sure they feel ready to audition for a bachelor’s level program, community college programs will provide access to higher level classes that will continue to develop practical and performance-based skills.
Attending a community college may also allow for your teen to engage in community and local opportunities to perform. This could be forming a band, joining local ensembles, and collaborating with other artists – all of which lead to valuable experience and exposure in support of their love for an art.
Online Platforms
In the digital age, there are numerous online platforms for artists to showcase their talents. Your teen can create a presence on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or social media to share her performances and connect with a broader audience. Many of these platforms can be monetized over time and provide supplemental income.
Conclusion
Your support, understanding, and practical guidance are incredible gifts to your teen. By asking yourself and others what to do if your teen discovers a love for the arts later in high school, you are showing your teen it’s never too late to explore something new. Helping your teen navigate this exciting but challenging journey toward a fulfilling career in vocal performance will teach her resilience and a strong work ethic for reaching new goals. Though the path to success in the arts is rarely linear, encourage her to stay true to her passion and remain open to learning from every experience.
