Juliet Russell is a singer, composer, vocal coach and choir director. She is also a creative director of Also festival and co-founder of Salon London, alongside Helen Bagnall. Passionate about supporting individuals and communities to develop their voices and creativity, Juliet is also the vocal coach on two of the UK’s biggest entertainment shows, ITV’s The Voice and BBC1’s Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, where she prepares the Unexpected Stars for the performance of their lives. Specialising in artist development, Juliet has also worked with Grammy, BRiT, MTV Europe and MOBO award winning artists. She has performed with innovative artists including Damon Albarn, Imogen Heap, alt-J and Paloma Faith, most recently writing the vocal arrangement and leading the #ThankYouMidwife choir on Paloma’s beautiful rendition of Silent Night, in association with Pampers UK. Juliet has composed and arranged music for film, television and radio. She leads the Portobello Live Choir, a community choir in West London and Assemble professional choir. http://www.julietrussell.com
What are the components of your portfolio career e.g. study, paid freelance work, part time job, volunteering etc.?
At the moment my portfolio consists of my private practice; I have a vocal studio in west London, freelance television work, composing, arranging choral music and co-curating the Also festival and Salon London. I host events and give talks. I recently launched my first online singing course with Music Gurus and I give masterclasses all over the country at festivals, for businesses, choirs, colleges and industry events. I sing in a trio with a guitarist and a philosopher. I’m the creative director of Assemble, a contemporary professional choir and Portobello Live Choir, a community choir which is free for local people. I am a national trainer for the British Lung Foundation’s Singing for Lung Health programme and I’m also studying for a research-based MA in vocal pedagogy.
How did your portfolio career come about?
I think the creative industries have had a portfolio model for a long time and it’s something I have always done. When I was young I used part-time jobs as a way of funding my creative aspirations and I did everything from working on the door of a club to making clothes then started promoting bands and events. I’ve always had a spirit of entrepreneurism; I started my first business when I was 25 and have worked since I was 14, babysitting and child minding. I even sold underwear on a local market stall, which lasted two weeks!
How has your portfolio career changed over time?
It has got better! I used to hustle a lot more – approaching people for work and building lots of projects from scratch. I still do the latter, but now a lot more opportunities also come to me. That is something that has definitely grown over time.
When people ask you ‘what do you do?’ – what do you reply?
I usually say I’m a singer and vocal coach. Being a singer completely informs how I coach. I think of myself more as a Creative Director though. I love to create music and projects and to see them come to life – I’ve worked with 5,000 children, young people and their teachers and families on a project called Sing Up Greenwich and 100+ singers at Sing Late at the V&A and I love big participation projects that connect people to music and each other.
What 5 tips can you share for people considering a portfolio career?
1. Follow your passion and it will never feel boring
2. People and relationships are your greatest asset
3. Learn to be excellent at what you do
4. Understand your finances and your value
5. Give back. Be aware of what’s needed and what you can bring.
More
Juliet Russell’s LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-russell-b37739a/
Also Festival https://www.also-festival.com\
Salon London http://www.salon-london.com
Music Gurus https://www.musicgurus.com/course/learn-essential-skills-for-singers-foundation-level
Follow Juliet on Twitter @JulietRussell
Interested in a portfolio career for yourself?
Get in touch for a no obligation chat with Rachel Brushfield, The Talent Liberator https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/
Read our client testimonials for the different parts of our portfolio career https://liberateyourtalent.wordpress.com/energise-client-testimonials/
That’s fascinating reading as well as inspiring.
Juliet is a truly genuine person and full of positive energy. I’m happy to see her regularly when we sing with Portobello Live Choir as she is helping us all to achieve our full potential!