What does it take for a person to stand on stage and sing for an audience knowing that they will not sound like the original singer. Knowing that they don’t have years of training. Knowing that they may not look the part and knowing that they may make some mistakes? It takes courage.

Some of the thoughts that have to be dealt with during vocal lessons are: “will I have enough breath”, “will I remember to NOT push from my throat”, “will I NOT allow the nerves to sabotage my effort”, “will I annunciate” and “will I be able to believe that I can do this”.

As the teacher, I always see the student as a courageous person who is willing to take a chance on themselves and finally “Let Go” of the chatter that says things like, “they won’t like me”, “what if I make a mistake” and the big one, “I’m not good enough”. These thoughts become personal, taking away from the performance by hindering the performer. These thoughts have no place on stage or during practice time. Only the thoughts that you are getting better should be allowed.

In life we progressively get better at whatever we practice. ALL of the singers who will perform in the Confidence Booster recital on August 16 at the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church at 7pm will be courageously demonstrating what they have learned by allowing themselves to relax, open up and simply sing.

Courage takes many forms; changing careers or moving to another country, police officers and paramedics, falling in love, assisting someone as they transition in life, to name a few. To allow yourself to be vulnerable, knowing that you have prepared and done your very best, while allowing yourself to be seen, as you sing and allow your emotions to flow from the depth of your being, in front of strangers, that takes courage.

Keep on Singing
Roxanne Goodman
The Confidence Booster