KW 4 – What is Antiquated Gender Ageism Perception?
AGAP(e)
My passionate Vision is to revolutionise our singing culture around women and aging (Antiquated Gender Ageism Perception), by being a role model and advocate, empowering today’s 40+ women to SING up/out for their rights! Every age has its ARIE! And the freedom to BE at every stage of life!
Hi, it’s your Vocal Coach, Judith here.
Gendered Ageism sits at the crossroads between age and gender and is a double whammy where there is “no right age” for professional women. In my case I am truly speaking up for Singers! Gendered Ageism is discrimination based on age. Too young, too old, or just a woman? It impacts a woman’s professional growth, her physical health and her emotional wellbeing. Aging experts (Gerontologists) advise, that intergenerational conversations are one solution to supporting women as they age and reframe how our culture thinks about getting older. Maybe we lose speed in certain areas, but we certainly gain other skills that we absolutely did not have when we were younger.
I recommend advocating for ourselves, to be brave.
I recommend intergenerational connections in order to stand up tall as a role model.
I recommend learning something new and being by far the youngest participant. (more about that later)
Table of Content:
1. What is AGAP(e)?
2. Times up – enough is enough!
3. My Experience
4. My Recommendations
5. My Mission
1. What is AGAP(e)?
AGAP(e) = Antiquated Gender Ageism Perception
I believe that aging is what happens when you are lucky! It means that you are alive, and If you learn how to live it, then life is nothing short of a miracle.
I have decided against getting older. It is boring and I would rather stay curious with my unwavering “can do” attitude.
Let us break barriers and prejudices and embrace change! These antiquated perceptions keep seasoned generations from sharing their wisdom and passions.
2. Times up – enough is enough!
Let’s talk about this.
I am 71 years young, Opera Singer and CVT Vocal Coach, Visionär and Entrepreneur, advocating vocal longevity, empowerment and joy for Female Singers 40+ worldwide. I believe that every age has its ARIE!
I have a vision for a world where age is celebrated rather than stigmatised.
3. My Experience
As a young, aspiring Opera Singer, just having finished my studies and auditioning for Performance Engagements and Agents, it was unheard of for a Singer to mention her age or Birthyear or if she was married or even had children. Unspoken of! Not very much has changed today, although, thank goodness, the younger generation is beginning to speak up for their Birthright!
In 2017 I turned 65 and, although I presented my plädoyer before an entire commission, I was not allowed to continue my work at the Music Conservatory where I had been teaching Singers and Conducting one of Germany’s best children’s choirs for over 30 years. The reason for ending my contract was simply my age – nothing else! That was the appreciation I had to deal with at the height of success as a Vocal Pedagogue and Music Director. Why on earth should I have wanted to retire? For me the word “re”-tire suggests taking a deep breath and moving on. In German they call it “in Ruhe stand gehen”. That sounds soooo bad! They might as well say – putting you to sleep…like they do with old used up train cars – they put them on an “Abstellgleis”, a siding track where they don’t disturb anyone.
Not me! I have a T-Shirt with the saying: If you hear voices whispering to you, that you can’t withstand the storm, then whisper back: I AM THE STORM!
I do not appreciate assumptions about what I’m like or can do, due to my age.
4. My Recommendations
Remove taboos.
Question: T or F? Older singers develop a slower, wider vibrato as part of the aging process.
False! A slower, wider vibrato—at any age—can be prevented with vocal exercises which I coach in my holistic Vocal Bio-hacking Concept. These tools help to retain muscle tone and efficient vocal cord behaviour, even into a singer’s mature years!
Pro-aging is: living with a sense of freedom and not allowing ourselves to be restrained by what is dictated to us. No categorical rulebook that we must live by. Aren’t we wise enough to choose at our age, what works for us? For me, pro-aging means living life my way, while wanting the best for others, supporting their living life their way. Pro-aging is not simply straight ahead. It’s not all or nothing. It’s not certain, but uncertain, with room for curiosity and exploration, for holistic growth and change. Being aware of our inner voice which has been quieted for much too long and allowing it to guide us. No people pleasing.
Let’s walk the talk and promote intergenerational connection while we’re at it!
MAKE A COMMITTMENT TO YOURSELF!
5. My Mission
My MISSION Possible – BIRTHRIGHT’52 – stands for the freedom to BE at every stage of life!
My passionate PURPOSE is to revolutionise our singing culture perception around Women and Aging – Antiquated Gender Ageism Perception – AGAPe.
Come and join me…the time is NOW! Let’s own this together!
We need to be seen to be heard…we need to SING to be seen! Let’s take the stage with a leading role!
This is a no judgement zone! All thoughts and questions are welcome!
Let’s create a new generation of acceptance and deciding for ourselves! We can stand tall together and intentionally make change happen!
I have a passionate purpose, and it is my duty to transform this purpose into reality. Therefore, I will develop the daily habit of taking action that will bring me closer to this attainment.
„Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become…“ James Clear (ATOMIC HABITS)
It’s time to stop overthinking and start doing.
It’s time to stop dreaming and start doing.
It’s time to stop waiting and start doing.
Let’s amplify our voices, making every story heard. Change doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by choice! Let’s CHOOSE change and create a community around this choice!
As Admiral McRaven said in his commencement speech 2016: „If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed“…or singing a song.
- Let’s radically reframe aging!
- Let’s live from underestimated to unstoppable!
- Let’s age backwards!
- Let’s STOP being the victim of our environment!
- Let’s START being the Architect!
- Let’s prioritise the uniqueness that makes us who we are.
Let’s be the invisible magnet that draws in other like-minded souls to dance in our orbit.
I would love your support in following my Mission: BIRTHRIGHT‘52
Let’s STOP Antiquated Gender Ageism Perception.
Support me in my worldwide endeavours to motivate more of my generation in becoming visible and audible. Join me in reshaping the narrative around Women and Aging in the world of song.
Allow me to close with the awesome words of George Bernard Shaw:
“This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognised by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
And at the end of the day it all boils down to the simple fact, that I have found what I love to do and that is, helping people!
I want you to know that you are in the right place and I am so unbelievably honoured to be on this journey for the next 4 weeks. Thank you for investing your most precious asset – your time to be here and read my message to the end. I do not take that lightly and am going to deliver for you to the very best of my ability.
XXOO
Judith
(Vocal Success Studio)
