_{Artist of the Week} 20 Qs for Luka Kawabata

What/who inspired you to sing?
Home videos will prove that I was always drawn to start singing. It was the idea of living without music that ultimately drove me to pursue a life of music. After high school, I finished a degree in civil engineering. I will credit those years, without the support of music, that convinced me to pour by heart into this craft.

Favourite place?
Mexico City – it’s the city that keeps giving! I’ve visited five times so far and I still feel like I haven’t scratched the surface. Some top must-dos would be to visit the Biblioteca Vasconcelos and get a pastry from Panadería Rosetta in Roma Norte.

If you weren’t a singer, you’d be…?
I firmly believe that it is natural to engage with your artistic practice in waves, which will inevitably reveal new interests for you to discover. So, I already feel like I assume roles outside of being a performer like producing, hosting and educating. Outside of music, I think I’d want to become a chef. The kitchen is my relaxation and meditation space.

Which opera role do you want to be singing right now?
Hamlet – I’m a brooding Scorpio with a yearning to be deep in thought.

Which opera role do you want to be singing in 10 years?
I hope that my dream role, that I will be singing in 10 years, is yet to be created. I love the idea of being a part of the collaboration process in creating a new role and constructing a character beyond what only exists on the page. 

Who is a singer you admire that is currently working?
I infinitely admire all of my colleagues and friends who are making work for themselves or following an unconventional path in the arts – this is the future and how the arts will continue to grow.

What’s your favourite orchestral instrument? Why?
I’m obsessed with the cello – I think it might be a baritone thing, but the timbre just deeply connects with me. 

What’s something most people don’t know about opera life?
There is no end to the hustle, so you have to have a strong mind and a willingness to continually be out of your comfort zone in order to grow. The collaboration and connection with an amazing community is the reward for a required level of effort in staying prepared and seeking out opportunities.

Coffee or tea?
I am a devoted coffee enthusiast and will always prioritize exploring coffee spots in any new city – I have a list of spots all over the globe if you need recommendations!

What was the first opera you ever saw?
La bohème at Vancouver Opera in 2008. It’s crazy to think that colleagues who worked on this production are now my mentors and friends.

What’s your favourite movie?
My favourite movie is The Count of Monte Cristo, which I also think would make an excellent opera!

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
I’d be a Tanuki – a Japanese raccoon dog native only to Japan that represents good luck and is believed to be a shapeshifter.

What’s the downside of being an opera artist?
It can be very lonely, because contracts usually only last a short time then you have to say goodbye to all of your new friends. Luckily, I’ve found that most people love to stay connected and I’ve definitely leaned on my community, even from across the world. That and having complicated taxes every year!

What’s the best thing about being an opera artist?
There is an infinite supply of inspiration out there to find. I find that artists in this industry are naturally curious and looking to find new ways to engage with art and collaborate.

What was your childhood dream job?
My first dream was to become a visual artist – I’m finding my way back to incorporating other forms of art and sculpture into my musical work.

What’s a big investment for an opera artist, but totally worth it?
I would advise any artist to invest in their professional development beyond their artistic practice. Learning more about project management, basic accounting and even specific creative skills outside of music has given me more flexibility and confidence that I can manage my future.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
“Anything worth doing is scary.” I’ve often used this as a mantra to give me even the temporary confidence to step outside of my comfort zone.

What is the ultimate goal of opera?
My dream for opera would be to create so much space for engagement that any person will no longer question if they are allowed to take part. There is work to be done in deconstructing elitism and colonialism, and that work has the power to transform this art form into something truly impactful. 

What is happiness for you?
Happiness is finding a balance where you’re able to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. I see my personal happiness in being able to feel fulfilled by the art that I create while knowing that there are many other aspects of my life that are also bringing me the same happiness.

What does success look like to you?
Success is the ability to choose. Rather than build a life based on any metrics of accomplishments or finances – I’m learning that measuring my life’s experiences allows me to fully enjoy the moment and avoid comparison.