Did you ever notice how you retain more information when you hear an interesting story?
I don't know about you but I tend to fall asleep quickly when I'm reading facts. I don't want to learn things from a technical manual but rather from a descriptive story. When a student is frustrated with their progress, I search my memory banks for a similar experience. Maybe it’s something that happened to me or it’s something I helped a former student get through. The experiences I share don’t have to be exactly the same, but enough of a roadmap so the student can apply it to their own experience. Next time you are confused in a class, don't ask "how is it done?" Instead ask "how did you do it?"
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Every week I meet with Craig via Skype to hash out our respective businesses. Craig and I became friends 8 years ago when we met at vocal coach training sessions in Nashville. It’s great to have someone you trust to bounce your thoughts and ideas off of. It’s interesting how we can’t see what we have to offer until someone points it out.
I am at a point now where I feel completely comfortable as a vocal coach and mentor. What an incredible feeling! But until recently I couldn’t articulate what sets me apart from other teachers. Let me just say I am humbled by the amount of amazing vocal coaches and teachers in the world. It’s a daunting task to figure out not only how I fit into the fabric but what is unique about my approach. For a few years I taught at a recording studio space in NYC owned by a friend. I decided to close shop there and keep my lessons local in my home as I have done for years with nearby students. There’s something calming about a home space with tea brewing on the stove and more nature than a Disney film out my window. I argued with myself that I should have a “professional” space to teach. That’s just not me and if I’m not true to myself, how can I be true to my students? Dorothy was right. There’s no place like home. My assistant, Katie, has updated my website with recent changes. Please take a moment to read Rock Is A Verb on the CampZuke section and learn what my area has to offer. As I always say, Singing is More Than Just the Voice! Do you have an audition coming up for your school musical? If so, you probably have to choose a song from a Broadway show. Too often, students will come to me with a song they love to sing but have no idea what the show is about let alone the character in the show. Do your homework! Wikipedia has a synopsis of nearly every show.
Don’t worry if at first you can’t relate to the character. We will talk it out during a lesson. Together we can find a way to know your character. The audience won’t believe you until you embrace something about the character that is already a part of you. Yes, I know most of you are sad because you are back in school. Try to take just one minute each day to breathe in the air and scenery around you no matter where you live. There is always something beautiful to absorb every moment. It’s far too easy to focus on the negative. It’s a powerful energy that we can get sucked into and feed.
When you notice something beautiful today, take a photo and share it on your social media. Make someone else’s day beautiful too. I was utterly disgusted the first time I had sushi.
I remember the experience vividly. My dad had stopped by the Shoprite sushi bar before heading home from work one Friday night. I was excited but nervous. What was this weird round little food in front of me? To fully dive into the experience, I used cheater chopsticks and picked up a single California Roll (everyone’s typical first), and popped it into my mouth. I really only had two thoughts at that point. One, What is this slimy, chewy, ocean-colored ball of rice slithering down my throat? And two, I’m never having that again. And I didn’t, until I was a freshman in college and my roommates and friends decided they’d like to explore the sushi station in the campus cafeteria. I thought logically about how I had been really young when I first tried sushi, and maybe since enough time had past and my taste buds matured, I should definitely give it another whirl. Instant regret. Eating it was like a bipolar experience… cold but warm, but soft but crunchy? I had no idea what I was eating. It probably didn’t help that this was cafeteria sushi, but still, I declined any future sushi invitations after that. Until the third time. The third time I tried sushi was about a year or so later when I went out on a date with an older guy. He seemed so worldly. He had taught English to schoolchildren in Russia, wrote poetry and wanted to discuss literature and Edward Hopper. So when he asked to take me out for sushi and a film screening, boy was I intimidated. In order to seem as adventurous and seasoned as I wanted him to believe I was, I agreed to the sushi spot and let him order. Now this was the big leagues- out of the living room and college dining hall and into a hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant in New York City- so my elementary choice of a California Roll was definitely off the table. The waitress placed down in front of us tiny, cute pinwheels, drizzled and oozing with a spectrum of sauces and crunchy tempura flakes. Who even knew there were other options that didn’t include artificial crab? I had to mentally prep myself for this. It would be slimy and colorful and warm and cold and round and small and soft, and like nothing I’ve ever had before. I just had to embrace it. I cautiously and open-mindedly stuffed the spicy tuna and eel into my mouth. And this time, it was actually enjoyable! The experience of trying sushi for the first time reminds me of how I felt when Zuke asked me to write and perform an original song at a coffee shop. Initially, this excited me, but I am also frightened to death at the idea of a brand new challenge. I don’t know what to order, or, I don’t know what to sing about. I don’t know how to use chopsticks, or, I don’t know how to play an instrument. I don’t know what to expect at all, but it’s something that deep down, I know I really want to take a stab at. And I know I’ll have to start somewhere. I am in the process of resurrecting old poetry for lyric inspiration, and I plan on practicing singing along with either my brother or boyfriend playing the guitar. I am definitely terrified of the unknown as most people are, but I’m also excited to give myself the courage to face it. I just have to remind myself to keep open mind and to step out of my comfort zone so that my world will expand far beyond the simplicity of a California Roll. Eventually, I learned to master the chopsticks, I have favorite take-out spots and go-to rolls, and every once in a while when I really have a craving, I place a bento box lunch order with my co-workers. It took a few tries and a lot of bravery to enjoy sushi, but after getting over an initial fear of the unknown and unusual, I can now say this is something I am happy to have in my life. Time will only tell if I’ll feel the same about performing and writing original music, but it’s definitely an adventure worthy of an attempt. I’ve always had a crazy amount of lines on my hands and feet. Many years ago I was at a party where the hostess hired a palm reader. The reader wanted to take a photo of my hand because she had never seen so many lines! I don’t call these wrinkles. I call them wisdom lines. I have worked long and hard to become the teacher I am today and nothing makes me happier than sharing what I have learned.
Do what it takes to earn your wisdom lines! |