Andrew Hiers, 38, is an opera singer – a bass-baritone – and a car salesman in Cocoa, Florida. His viral videos of singing to customers are part of a larger plan to bring opera to his local community. He is trying to start his own opera company, and until then, he is serenading the parking lot.
A Day in the Life: Early Wake-Up and Opera Plans
Hiers woke up at about 6:30 am, earlier than usual, because his 18-year-old cat starts yelling around 4:30 am, forgetting when feeding time is. He also returned an email to a young man finishing his conducting degree, as they are trying to start their own opera company. Hiers wants something self-sustaining that generates revenue, unlike many opera companies that rely on donations and grants.
Lunch, Videos, and Unusual Customer Encounters
For lunch, Hiers brought frozen food to heat up because of his long day. He noted that a customer on a test drive once took him to lunch with friends, which is not typical. One of those friends had seen his story and wanted to take his picture.
Hiers makes his videos when service people go home, often in the store, where he will sing a few high notes. He also sings a high note when he makes a sale, and those videos have been doing well.
Sleep Routine and Unique Living Situation
Hiers typically goes to sleep around midnight or 1 am, admitting he needs to be better about it. He acknowledges the advice to take 20 minutes before sleep to detox but prefers to maximize his me time. His partner, opera singer Chelsea Lehnea, tries to get him to bed closer to 11 pm when she is in town.
Hiers lives in an RV in his college roommate's front yard. He met his partner right before the pandemic, and they quarantined together. After living with his parents for six months in West Palm Beach, she suggested getting an RV to renovate, and he joined her. He often takes baths with Epsom salts at his roommate's house because of aching joints. He tore his ACL years ago, the day before his first opera, and has never performed an opera on two good knees.
