London-based soprano Madeleine Pierard is back home in New Zealand for Christmas after a successful year in London including performing Meleagro in the opera Atalanta during the Handel Festival, and singing for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

In this Q&A, Pierard gives her tips for surviving in the creative industries.

"The most important thing is how you receive feedback. Because art and creativity is an extension of yourself, you have to be able to detach to be objective."London-based soprano Madeleine Pierard is back home in New Zealand for Christmas after a successful year in London including performing Meleagro in the opera Atalanta during the Handel Festival, and singing for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

In this Q&A, Pierard gives her tips for surviving in the creative industries.

"The most important thing is how you receive feedback. Because art and creativity is an extension of yourself, you have to be able to detach to be objective."During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
I'm an insomniac so I often work in the wee small hours. I find that this is when I do the most focused work. If I'm having trouble with a role and can't sleep, I will get up and work on it during the night.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
I tend to be very organised and I've been described as focused to a fault. When I am focused on a particular goal, I ignore everything else that's going on around me. At the same time, I can be a bit of a clown and I love having fun with my friends.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
The performance. Being in character in an opera is the most incredible thing, but equally exciting is standing in front of an audience in an amazing place like the Côte d'Azur, France (where Madeleine won Les Azuriales Ozone Opera Competition).

How does your environment affect your work?
I have to have quiet and I can't work when others can hear me so I don't tend to sing around the house much, although I always have music running on a loop in my head. When I'm performing, I have to adapt to different environments and venues and that doesn't really worry me.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
Definitely the details, although I am looking more at the big picture at the moment as I figure out my specialty, but the details are important as they are what set me apart from other singers.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
The most important thing is how you receive feedback. Because art and creativity is an extension of yourself, you have to be able to detach to be objective. Other people's opinions are there to help whether they are negative or positive, but you also need to realise when those opinions are not helpful.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Performing Meleagro in the opera Atalanta in the London Handel Festival in March this year. The role was my first after I officially made the change to soprano (from mezzo-soprano) and was very ambitious for me. Not only was I performing as a male (the role created for and made famous by Italian castrato Conti), but it was a role which includes five arias, two duets and an arioso. The arias were very high and had lots of very long runs (coloratura). The two challenges combined meant the process and performances were very exciting for me and for the first time, because I prepared so well and was so into character, I didn't get tired and I never lost my voice.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
My sister Anna (also an opera singer) is a huge inspiration. She's been with me in London recently and was a huge help during a very stressful time when I had major auditions - it was great having someone there who was the voice of reason. My teacher Lillian Watson is a constant source of inspiration, and of course Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - I often go to her place in East Sussex to work on repertoire and she's so giving of her time. Just hearing her sing with such raw emotion is amazing.

What are some of the songs you will be performing with the APO and The Graduate Choir?
The APO's annual Lion Foundation Celebrate Christmas concert programme is a really interesting mix of traditional carols and less-known music inspired by Christmas. I'm singing five pieces - Tavener's Song of the Angel, Schutz's Singet demm Herrn, Franck's Panis Angelicus, Schubert's Ave Maria and Vaughan Williams' The First Nowell: Final Chorus. I get very nostalgic about Christmas music.

What have been some of the highlights of your time in London so far?
Definitely singing Meleagro in the Handel Festival, performing with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in Jersey, winning the Great Elm Vocal Award at Wigmore Hall, singing for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in Westminster Abbey.

Is it nice to be home for Christmas?
Yes and I'm looking forward to a family Christmas in Napier.

You recently won the Arts Foundation New Generation Awards. What difference do these awards make to your career?
It's recognition of high achievement and that's certainly very special. It's very humbling to have been singled out and given the award for doing something I love. From a financial point, it's saved me from dire circumstances in London - it's so expensive to live there!

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Medicine - I had cancer as a child and was fascinated by the medical side of my treatment. I did originally enrol at university to do medicine as well as music, but music and then singing took over!

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
The backyard of the house where I grew up on a summer's day with my sisters and brother.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
On my ipod wherever I am. I listen to a lot of jazz, French downbeats, Indian sitar music and the Yo-Yo Ma/Bobby McFerrin album Hush.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A kite - I love them. Flying kites was one of my favourite things to do when I was a kid.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
I'm not that good at stress relief - I just keep going -

What's great about today?
I'm back New Zealand

What's your big idea for 2009?
Establish myself more in London and acquire some more serious roles and audition more.