MISS SKITTLE HAS RETURNED! I have to say my proudest moment this week was when the kiddos learned what DSL, C, and USR mean. Also when Ollie learned what jazz hands are... BUT maybe more importantly were the teaching moments that I had with a pre-show anxious teenager about trusting herself, her body, and her mind that had practiced so hard for her performance. No matter what happens on the stage, you are worthy of love and acceptance. Yes, talent is important, but dedication and kindness are what I am looking for in my students. And she blew us away! And her smile off stage meant more to me than any of those notes. 

There are plenty of divas if that's what you want to be, but you know what people remember when they meet you is whether you were a dick to them or not. Teaching for me has less to do with music and so much more with growing myself along with the children who are poised to take on this mess of a planet. Many are anxious, unsure, worried, bundles who often don't want to sing in front of anyone. But they will sing for me. We learn about how connected their voice is to this world, and how important it is to take up space and make some fucking noise to cut out the din of bullshit. 

I never thought a nervous soprano would ask me if she was going to be able to have contraception in the next few years. I don't have any right answers, but whatever the conflict or anxiety, I can tell them that they are worthy of love, every single feeling is valid, and yes, some of those are really hard to sit with and feel, but I'm here if you want to talk about it or just want to sing Dear Evan Hansen at the top of your lungs. When your instrument is inside, only you can take the greatest care of her, and I'm not talking about not eating dairy before singing or daily vocal warm-ups (but yes those are great too!

Find your fellow weirdos on-stage or off-stage, make some noise together, use excellent diction so nobody misunderstands you, listen to each other, disagreement is really okay, and no matter what you are enough.