…why so serious?…

‘… why so serious…?’ were my mum’s first words to me after I offered her complimentary voice lessons. At that time, I had written and revised several vocal syllabi (/syllabuses) and ran a music school in Singapore for almost a decade at that time.

It started me thinking about my student demographic, their pre-existing musical background, but most of all, what dreams lain on their hearts. How hungry were they? That we could be a good fit, that I could help them reach or their dreams as far as they wanted to take them?

More than 2 decades into my musical career now, I realise that a teacher-student relationship is a very interesting one. I truly believe in education, and also being heard and checked by a third ear even if you’re already a performer and advanced with understanding your instrument. I’ve had my fair share of learning, classrooms, and teachers. Those who have inspired me, shaped the way I taught, and those who didn’t remind me everyday of why I teach.

As much as I have loved every one of students, hundreds now, I grow to realise my method of coaching, of sharing, or teaching was and is only suitable for some. Those who are hungry, and are willing to fail. Without the failures you could learn from, you will never reach your goal. I encourage failure, play and a lot of fun in class.

And I hope that it is with this constant showing up, dreaming big, working and playing hard that you will walk closer to your goals everyday.

I had a friend ask me, why are all your students famous? I think you’d have to ask them yourself. I showed up, but they never stopped showing up for their dreams and for themselves. At some point each step had seemed so small that they wouldn’t have been able to see themselves on the stages they are on now. And yet, they showed up and grew. We were/are a great team.

Are you a singer or singer-songwriter wanting to grow your craft? Let’s have a chat here.