This is a 3-part guest blog by Juliet Russell for Energise – The Talent Liberation Company. This is part 2.
Read part 1 https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/juliet-russells-guest-blog-about-her-portfolio-part/
Biog
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. www.julietrussell.com
To what extent did your portfolio career happen by chance/luck and to what extent was it planned?
I’d say a bit of both. I’ve never had a full-time job and I’ve never really considered that as an option. I read something recently in Unsafe Thinking by Jonah Sachs, where he was exploring Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s work on flow state. He explains that to be successful you need a high level of skill and a high level of challenge. We grow when the level of challenge slightly exceeds our level of skill. I would say that as my skills have improved so have my opportunities. I do set intentions and I do work towards goals, but also I’m very instinctive about what I do. It has to feel right. I’m not scared to say no if it doesn’t.
What do you most love about having a portfolio career?
Definitely the people. I get to meet interesting people all the time and this can happen on the bus as much as it can happen at work. I love seeing people grow in confidence as they learn to sing or find a whole new level of creative expression. For me singing is our birthright. It is an incredibly human way of expressing ourselves and connecting with each other. It upsets me when people get told that they can’t sing and then lose touch with that part of themselves. Fair enough if you choose not to sing, but if you want to, go for it. Join a choir, get up at a karaoke night or learn to sing. Our voices are as unique as we are. All the humans who are around today evolved as singers and every human culture that exists or is ever known to have existed has made music.
What are the challenges of having a portfolio career?
It’s definitely easier now, but being overwhelmed with busyness / business and low income have both been things I have struggled with previously. Even though money has never been my main motivation, I have probably lived on a lot less than salaried peers would have considered at times and have been quite dogged in making something work when maybe I should have walked away earlier. That’s probably been the best lesson too though as this was partly to do with how I valued myself. I am also aware that we live in an incredibly privileged part of the world, and even so some people live on the streets, so equally I don’t take what I have for granted and sometimes you don’t need as much as you think you do. For me, a portfolio career brings more rewards than it brings challenges. Also, I like a challenge!
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/