I have had a total of 33 jobs in 17 years as a professional singer and actor. I have worked at least 3 jobs or more simultaneously in addition to performing over the years. Each week, I will discuss one of my former or current jobs. My twenty-second job was usher at the Jazz at Lincoln Center from February 2020 until October 2022.
Getting the Job
In 2020, I realized that my job at the after-school program was not paying enough to cover all of my expenses. It took three weeks for me to start working at the after-school program due the extensive NYC background check. Once I started working at the program, I realized that my hours were always going to be short because of all of the holidays off.
In January 2020, I began applying for additional jobs including full-time teaching positions. I emailed my resume to Jazz at Lincoln Center for a part-time usher position. Then, I was called in for a group interview. There were quite a few people at this group interview and very few people were selected for the job. I am not sure what they were looking for in particular, but I was chosen to be an usher for the Jazz at Lincoln Center aka the “House of Swing”.
2020-2021
Once I was hired, I attended the training session and was put on the schedule to shadow an usher for three shifts. I got to complete one shift without shadowing someone before the pandemic hit. Once the pandemic hit, Jazz at Lincoln Center was shutdown for 20 months! My second job was no longer open for me to work, but I did continue to work online for the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services. Once Jazz at Lincoln Center opened back up, I was also teaching full-time at Elm Community Charter School.
Ushering at “The House of Swing”
Jazz at Lincoln Center is on the fifth floor of the Shops at Columbus Circle. It was extremely beautiful, decorated with glass staircases and red carpeting. The House of Swing consists of the Appel Room, Frederick Rose P. Hall and Dizzy’s Club. Rose Hall had three levels and could seat 1,233 people. Most of my shifts were in Rose Hall. Ushers would be assigned outside the doors or inside the doors. The best placement as an usher would be inside. Once the doors were closed for the New York Philharmonic concerts, I would be able to see the entire concert with little to no interruptions.
The New York Philharmonic began holding their entire season at Jazz at Lincoln Center due to renovations to their new facility. There were significant differences to ushering for the New York Philharmonic concert vs. a jazz concert. The audience was a completely different demographic and there was no late seating at a New York Phil concert. As an usher, you guide the guests to the correct seats before the concert or performance. During the jazz concerts, there is continouous seating throughout the performances.
For the jazz concerts, I would consistently be opening and closing the doors to seat guests during the performances. However, I got to see Diane Reeves, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and Branford Marsalis perform and several other amazing concerts and performances. Also, I saw Wynton Marsalis perform multiple times with his jazz orchestra. Lastly, I saw Wynton in an elevator after a performance and he said Hello. He is super nice!
Rentals
You can rent out the Jazz at Lincoln Center for several other types of events. I worked multiple conferences, weddings, jazz competitions, graduations, and even a bar mitzvah. The 13 year old boy had his ceremony in the Rose P. Hall and then, held his party in the Appel Room. What a celebration! There was a wedding that held a cocktail hour where there were acrobats pouring the wine upside down and ballerinas dancing around the lobby.
During the Jewish holidays, services are held at the Jazz at Lincoln Center as well. Micheal J. Fox held his annual Parkinson’s event there. At the Micheal J. Fox event, I saw Sting, Brad Paisley, and Lisa Fisher perform. The Kelly Clarkson show shoots the first week of her show episodes each season in the Appel Room and the Times 100 event is also held at Jazz.
Quitting
In October of 2022, I had four jobs and was feeling overwhelmed. I chose to quit Jazz at Lincoln Center and my after-school job. However, I should have kept at least one of these jobs because my catering jobs were reduced to nothing by January 2023. The last event that I worked was an opera company’s performance of Bizet’s Carmen.
I think this was ironic since I am a classically trained singer, and had never seen an opera performed at Jazz during my time there. My co-workers and managers gave me a card that they all signed. A few co-workers gave me wine, a cheesecake, and some cupcakes, which was so kind.
My production manager said that if I ever wanted to return that the door would always be open for me, which was super kind. Working at Jazz at Lincoln Center was a pleasure and it pretty phenomenal and mind blowing opportunity looking back on it.