Spencer Britten
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
In all honesty, it came down to a gut feeling I had. Something was telling me that UBC Music was the place for me to be. I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of time I got to explore my craft in depth. More than anything, I cherish the lifelong friendships I made.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
Sitting outside on the benches on a nice sunny day. Feeling that sense of community and greeting or chatting with friends and colleagues as they entered or left the music building.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
To use every opportunity to do my best. I developed discipline and a work ethic that has served me well in the industry.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
My first Young Artist Programs were at The Glimmerglass Festival and at Opéra de Montréal. Since then I have sung internationally with symphonies and at houses, including Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, Royal Opera of Versailles, Vancouver Opera, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Opera Atelier, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and The Bregenzer Festspiele, to name a few.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
In fact, it is. The international career is what we are trained for. However, being a person at the intersection of several minorities, the homophobia and racism has been very present along the way. The more I work, the more I am exposed to it. It doesn’t seem to get easier, but hopefully even just by presenting as my authentic self, I am creating an easier future for the next generations of artists.
What do you like about your current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
I love that I get to perform in so many places. One of the major challenges is how exhausting traveling can get. As someone who values a work-life balance and a home life, it can get difficult being on the road so much. It is something you can’t really prepare for.
From your experience, what has been the value of having an Arts degree?
Having an Arts degree exposed me to so many things that contributed to not only my career, but my interest in the art form. Sure, some of the more academic or technical stuff I still have little interest in, but for someone else, that could be the thing that inspires them to keep going! For me, the repertoire and certain parts of the history developed my love for the art form. I am continually growing my knowledge the more I sing.
What advice would you give to students and alumni interested in breaking into your industry?
Sing lots, practice lots – but out of joy, not out of academia. Enjoy the frustrating parts and know that by practicing them, you are taking one step closer to figuring it out.
Take care of your head and your heart just as much as you pursue your studies. Cherish your friendships as those are the things that are going to be there for you when it gets hard – and it will get hard!
Spencer Britten
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
In all honesty, it came down to a gut feeling I had. Something was telling me that UBC Music was the place for me to be. I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of time I got to explore my craft in depth. More than anything, I cherish the lifelong friendships I made.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
Sitting outside on the benches on a nice sunny day. Feeling that sense of community and greeting or chatting with friends and colleagues as they entered or left the music building.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
To use every opportunity to do my best. I developed discipline and a work ethic that has served me well in the industry.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
My first Young Artist Programs were at The Glimmerglass Festival and at Opéra de Montréal. Since then I have sung internationally with symphonies and at houses, including Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, Royal Opera of Versailles, Vancouver Opera, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Opera Atelier, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and The Bregenzer Festspiele, to name a few.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
In fact, it is. The international career is what we are trained for. However, being a person at the intersection of several minorities, the homophobia and racism has been very present along the way. The more I work, the more I am exposed to it. It doesn’t seem to get easier, but hopefully even just by presenting as my authentic self, I am creating an easier future for the next generations of artists.
What do you like about your current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
I love that I get to perform in so many places. One of the major challenges is how exhausting traveling can get. As someone who values a work-life balance and a home life, it can get difficult being on the road so much. It is something you can’t really prepare for.
From your experience, what has been the value of having an Arts degree?
Having an Arts degree exposed me to so many things that contributed to not only my career, but my interest in the art form. Sure, some of the more academic or technical stuff I still have little interest in, but for someone else, that could be the thing that inspires them to keep going! For me, the repertoire and certain parts of the history developed my love for the art form. I am continually growing my knowledge the more I sing.
What advice would you give to students and alumni interested in breaking into your industry?
Sing lots, practice lots – but out of joy, not out of academia. Enjoy the frustrating parts and know that by practicing them, you are taking one step closer to figuring it out.
Take care of your head and your heart just as much as you pursue your studies. Cherish your friendships as those are the things that are going to be there for you when it gets hard – and it will get hard!
