And just like that summer is over and we are back at work.
Back to school but also back to singing, back to auditioning, and back to preparing for performances. Yes, performance season is upon us!
Unfortunately, our Halloween concert that was originally scheduled for Monday, October 30 will have to be canceled because I didn’t get enough students for the chorus class. But that doesn’t mean that some of my amazing students won’t be performing. We are doing a joint student recital with my good friend, Dr. Abe Caceras of World House Music. He is a wonderful composer and pianist and it will be so fun to collaborate with him.
Speaking of collaboration, I have been thinking a lot about teams lately. Peak Vocal Academy moved to a new location this month. It was a typical family move; nothing out of the ordinary. Except that I could not have done it all by myself. As much as I like to believe that I can do everything myself without any help, I cannot.
Thankfully, I had an amazing team to help me. It started with my kids and my husband and then came my mom and brother, and then my church family that got the truck loaded and unloaded in less than 2 hours. It was amazing!
So, you might be asking yourself, what does moving have to do with singing?
Great question! It’s not about the moving; it’s about the team. A singer, the final product that you see on stage, does not happen alone. Just because I am a soloist, does not mean I work solo. My team consists of:
- First, my support team of my husband and children and friends
- Next, is the prep team of my voice teacher, vocal therapist, voice coach, etc
- After that, the production team. Sometimes, this is also the prep team but if it’s a big production it includes the conductor, the director, and the stage manager and crew
- Finally, there is the secondary support team (secondary but not less important) of the audience without whom none of it is possible.
This is a big team! You know those long lists of thank you’s they give at award shows?
That’s because the team is crucial to a singer’s success. We can’t do what we do without them. So, my little songbirds, choose your team wisely. They should be the people who make you feel like you can do anything. They should always have your back. They should encourage you to follow through with the good ideas and have the courage to tell you when something is not a good idea. They are your personal cheerleaders who will see you through anything.
I am proud to be on some of your teams. I look forward to sharing the stage with you this season! See you at the theater!