Take Control of Your Performing Destiny

Take Control of Your Performing Destiny

Last week I hosted my first house-concert/performance class. It was so much fun. I sang three pieces…a little musical theater and an opera piece, a student of mine sang three original songs while accompanying himself on guitar – so awesome – and even my sweet son joined the mix and played a piano piece… my houseful of guests were so thankful for the music we gave them… but they gave us an even greater gift… an opportunity to master the art of performing….

I challenge you to take control of mastering the art of performing by committing to perform on a regular basis… monthly if possible. Take the idea of performing out of your head, out of the practice room, and on to the calendar  – schedule it. Below I explain why it is important to consistently perform, and I also give you some ideas of venues.

Students in my Rejoice In Your Voice™ studio have the opportunity each month to perform in my home at my monthly house-concert/performance class.

I make this event a priority in my business model because I firmly believe in the power of performing, and in performing often.

Singers, actors, and speakers, regardless of the level expertise, benefit from having a consistent performing schedule…

3 Reasons Why Consistent Performing is Crucial to Progress

1. Mastery  – “Just Do It”

Start clocking in your hours on the road to mastery.  Since the time Malcolm Gladwell wrote Outliers in 2008, there has been much talk about achieving mastery with 10,000 hours of work. The more hours you spend performing, the better you will become and, according to Gladwell’s research, your becoming better has nothing to do with natural talent, only to do with putting in the hours.  

2. Law of Averages – Fine Tuning Your Process

As you are gaining mastery hours, the law of averages will help you refine your performance process. You will become more attuned to how your nerves surface and how to handle them. You will find better and more efficient ways to practice. You will gain valuable feedback from recordings and audience members to help you shift or enhance your performing communication.

3. Joy – Give the Gift

With more hours performing and a more refined process, your joy will increase and the love for the work will skyrocket. You will now give from a place of joy, love, and passion. You will give from the core of who you are and your personal experience. Your audience will sense your deep connection to music and thus be transported with you as you offer your gift of song.

How to Be in Charge of Your Performing Destiny

I challenge you to be in charge of your performing destiny by creating a consistent performing schedule… if you wait to audition for a show that is just right for you, be it community theater or a professional gig, you are turning your performing progress over to a director that may or may not hire you… and chances are that if you perform consistently on your own, the possibility of you landing that coveted job will increase.

7 Places to Create Performing Opportunities for Yourself

1. Host your own house-concerts

2. Audition for everything… even if the role doesn’t suit you

3. Plan quarterly recitals and ask friends to add to the concert program

4. Sing solos at a local church

5. Perform at retirement and nursing homes

6. Sing for open mics

7. Volunteer to perform for local fundraisers

Look over the above list and pick two to implement this month.  

If you and I truly want to reach your performing potential…. we need to continue to support each other to step out of our perfectionism, fear, and insecurity, and simply give away the music, monologue, or message.  This will only happen when you take control of your performing destiny and schedule it… today! 

Until next time….Rejoice In Your Voice™!