If you've ever thought you'd be a better X Factor mentor than Louis Walsh, it's time to learn from someone who knows.
Singing teacher and music director, James Michalos offers advice on how to make it.
Like what James has to say? Then check out our careers in music
What do you do for a job?
Singing teacher and music director at Guildhall and London Studio Centre.
Childhood dream or something you just fell into?
Not so much childhood as a teenage dream of writing and being involved in music and theatre.
How did you get into your job?
Working my way up a ladder of different teaching experiences - no paper qualifications just experience, observations, learning off mentors and so on.
What does a typical working day involve?
Teaching singing technique and repertoire, coaching - acting through to song, sometimes devising projects and showings.
What do you like about your job?
The students are talented and inspirational and despite the core of singing tech being the same, every voice is different and it takes you to different and exciting places.
…And dislike?
Lack of commitment from actors who would rather just act or dancers who would rather just dance - but this is a tiny minority of all the students I've ever taught. The bureaucracy and erosion of education through paperwork and bullshit terminology!
Career highlight?
Seeing people I've taught go on to great things, especially in the West End.
Any regrets?
No regrets - God I'm not old enough!
If you could do any other job/career what would you choose and why?
Architecture fascinates me. The precision of design - it's the pinnacle of where science meets art.
If you had to offer one piece of advice to anyone looking to break into your industry, what would it be?
Get involved with kids' theatre schools to start with - it may sometimes feel like you're at a creche but you'll probably meet other theatre professionals who could then recommend you for other work.
