Emily F. SS 12

Emily F. SS 12: Singing is a social activity, and we as singers need to know how to work and play well with others. Our first responsibility is to ourselves, and to knowing what we need. Taking responsibility for ourselves (our voices, our behavior, our preparedness) is key to being a good person and a good singer. Once we are truly responsible for ourselves, we can appropriately interact with other musicians and professionals. We need to be accommodating to conductors and directors who make reasonable requests. Being flexible and hard-working are valuable traits. Responsibility in the music world begins with having music learned! All of these principles are about being a professional in music, but they're all valuable for being a good person anywhere. Some other points brought up were: how and when to say no, being generous, and knowing your place. 
Key concept: If you want work as a singer, be a nice, hard-working, professional person!
Making connections: Even though I haven't performed much or had many voice lessons, I've certainly seen and heard a lot of excuses for bad singing. I used to make tons, but I've gotten better. Yes, I might have extra phlegm or not be feeling well, but since singing is what I want to do, I have to learn how to take care of myself and do the best I can with what I have. I generally think that I'm a good colleague and a hard, responsible worker, and I hope that my work ethic will help me accomplish the things I want in singing. In some ways, it's good that I'm beginning my musical schooling as an adult with experience behind me, because I've seen a lot of irresponsible people do poorly in life and careers and school. I know myself better now at 35 than I did at 20, and I know what I want and how much work that will require.