https://form.typeform.com/to/eDtmkFff: Join the waitlist for Anatomy of a Leader events. Meet Aigul Ahmetshina. She’s a Kazan-born opera star and the youngest mezzo-soprano to perform Carmen at the Royal Opera House. Aigul is here to show you that no dream is too big. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:01 - How it All Started 18:06 - Building a Technique and Finding Her Voice 19:12 - Facing Doubts and Feeling Guilty 24:03 - What Kept You Pursuing Opera? 27:57 - Opera Lets You Express Your Feelings 31:12 - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone 33:42 - Nearly Changing Professions 36:13 - Getting Into a Car Accident 38:56 - Auditioning for the Young Artist Program 44:17 - Finding the Right Manager 51:06 - The Benefits of Therapy 54:17 - Give Yourself Time to Feel Sorry for Yourself 57:13 - Performing is Personal 59:04 - Post-Performance Rituals 01:00:38 - Learning to Find Balance 01:05:52 - Creating a Better World Through Art 01:09:15 - Why Carmen is So Popular 01:16:00 - Resolving Conflict 01:20:34 - Misconceptions About Opera Singers 01:21:23 - Treat People Like Human Beings 01:30:47 - What’s Next? 01:33:38 - Advice for Aspiring Opera Singers If you have a seemingly impossible dream you’re hesitant to pursue, or are simply an opera enthusiast and want to hear Aigul’s story, then this episode is for you! Aigul Akhmetshina: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aigul_akhmetshina_mezzo/?hl=en X: https://x.com/ak_mezzo?lang=en Website: https://aigulakhmetshina.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.