Expert: Sean Martinfield - 9/22/2011

Question
When I was younger I used to suffer quite a bit of bullying.. This however, I never allowed to shatter my confidence and passion for singing and acting because I believed then when I opened my mouth to sing people would see the real me for who I truly was. All through high school I built my confidence up myself regarding my voice. I took regular singing lessons, attended drama lessons and just tried to practise as hard as I could. When I got my first solo in the concert I was ecstatic! I was so happy beyond belief as were my parents because I'd got over the bullies and shown the world what I could really do!
However, despite this somewhere along the line my confidence slowly shook. I may well have got this one solo but after that.. nothing. And still nothing. Because, although I could sing, there were also others. They could sing better. More confidently and most importantly of all they could belt like a "Broadway superstar"... Or so it seemed to me. I told myself that it didn't matter! I was who I was, and someday someone would appreciate me for just who I am and how I wanted to sing.. But so far that's never happened. And now my confidence is at 0%.. No matter how hard I try. No matter how long, or how much I tell myself I can do it! - the nerves take the better of me. I never used to get nervous, but something has shook me. And now I'm just so friggin' scared of cracking or shaking on the big money notes, I just chicken out every single time. I don't know how to get over it! It makes me so upset! I have an audition coming up soon and I really, really want the part so badly! Please, please I hope you are able to give me some advice, anything to help me get over my nerves which make me sick to the gut with panic - and do myself justice? Even if I don't get the part, it'll just be enough to know that I did my absolute best! Just the very thought of the audition panel makes me feel queasy.. I guess I feel better if there are lights blinding me on the stage! But, obviously, I NEED to get over the first bit..
Thank you so much x

Answer
Hello!

Thank you for the question and all the background information. I appreciate it. Every performer has their own set of demons and fears.

Every long-term professional singer knows their personal assets and liabilities in order to keep sustaining a career that pays the bills and puts food on the table.

Like the world of opera, the realm of musical theatre demands trained musicians. Your job as a musician/singer/actress is to know your vocal category, i.e., soprano, mezzo-soprano, etc., and to demonstrate those skills through a portfolio of songs specifically written for that voice. My job as a professional vocal coach is to determine your true vocal category and to train you accordingly. That training includes showing you how to strengthen and maintain your range along with applying those skills to the material you hope to perform or have been hired to perform. In the real world of professional musical theatre, that translates to your voice standing up to 8-shows-a-week.

When was the last time you worked with a professional vocal coach?
When was the last time you performed anything in public?

Your lack of confidence – no matter your past or Self-image – is due to a lack of training and owning a reliable Technique. The major portion of that acquired musical Technique includes what to do with it when under the pressures of an audition or a series of performances. Having a blinding spotlight in your eyes will not guarantee a climactic high-note. The confidence that you seek comes with absolutely knowing what is going to come out of your mouth before you open it. Such skills come with proper training and work, not through wishful thinking.

The pill doesn't exist, the hypnotist doesn't exist that can give you the vocal technique you must demonstrate during those now very standard 16-measure auditions. If I'm the casting director, I will know in half that much time if your vocal skills will withstand weeks of rehearsal and remain as fresh on the last performance as it must on opening night. Simple. The Producer needs to make a profit. I can't pass someone on to a callback who can't prove their musicianship to me through their chosen material. If I'm interested, but have a number of doubts, I may ask you for a second song or to demonstrate a series of scales throughout your declared range.

If your goal is to be in musical theatre, then you know there will be more auditions down the road. There will always be a line full of people with whom you must compete. What are you going to do between now and then to be better prepared, better equipped – to audition for a show or a role that you may want even more fervently than this one?

I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Below are links to my articles and youtubes on San Francisco's entertainment and cultural scene:

LEAH CROCETTO – An Interview with "Liu" in SF Opera's TURANDOT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=159189

RENÉE FLEMING IS "LUCREZIA BORGIA" – Friday, 9/23, at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=158874

SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Joins with the American Conservatory Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=158668

HENRY PHIPPS – A Conversation with Featured Boy Soprano in SF Opera's "Heart of a Soldier"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=158231

HBO Premieres "The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell" – Midnight, 9/20
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=158067

"HEART OF A SOLDIER" – A Rapturous World Premiere At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=157139

THE ART OF ANATOLIAN KILIM – Now at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=157659

“HEART OF A SOLDIER” – World Premiere, Tonight at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=156910

MEET MAESTRO NICOLA LUISOTTI – San Francisco Opera opens 2011/12 season with Puccini's "Turandot"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=156522

$3M DONATION TO SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Gift of Jan I. Shrem and Maria Manetti Farrow
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=156420

"The Glory of Love" – A Salute to Jacqueline Fontaine
http://youtu.be/KuxxqmpUY_M

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY – Opens Tonight and Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155872

STEVE MARTIN'S "The Underpants" – Gets an airing at Gough Street Playhouse
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155731

A “WORLD PREMIERE” – Mozart's Concerto for Horn and Orchestra
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155168

"MOZART'S SISTER" – Third string cinema
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155054

SF EARLY MUSIC SOCIETY – Season Opens with the Catacoustic Consort and Wildcat Viols
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=154139

SHN Presents – STOMP and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Musical
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=153764

"ONCE IN A LIFETIME" – 1930 Comedy Open's 2011-12 Season at A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=153488

SF ARTS COMMISSION – Debuts New Public Artwork at the Ortega Branch Library
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=153401

36th ANNUAL SF OPEN STUDIOS – Every weekend, October 1st—30th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152972

SELECTED HISTORIES: Discover Latin American Art at SFMOMA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152618

POLARIS: VOYAGE FOR ORCHESTRA – With the San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152632

"HEART OF A SOLDIER" – SFOpera Presents World Premiere September 10th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152421

GRANTS FOR THE ARTS – 50th Anniversary, A Free Celebration At City Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=152210

THE MOURNERS: Tomb Sculptures from  the Court of Burgundy
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=151939

MEROLA OPERA’S GRAND FINALE – Meet Daniel Curran and Mark Diamond
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=150518

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Opens with Puccini's "Turandot", September 9th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=150084

HELP IS ON THE WAY XVII: Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=149792

Previewing two exhibitions coming to the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=149256

NEW ON CD – "Live from the Marlboro Music Festival"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=148987

THE STEINS COLLECT: Matisse, Picasso, and the Parisian Avant-Garde – SFMOMA  extends viewing hours on exhibition
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=148813

100th BIRTHDAY – San Francisco Symphony throws free concert bash in Civic Center Plaza, September 8th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=148503

KEVIN SPACEY IS "RICHARD III" – At the Curran, October 19th—29th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=148283

BALI: Art, Ritual, Performance – At the Asian Art Museum until September 11th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=146641

FOLGER COFFEE BUILDING – Becomes Downtown Hub for University of San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=146444

San Francisco Opera and Musicians Union – Ratify new 3-year contract
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=146144

DIANA ROSS – One Night Only! – At the Golden Gate Theatre, 9/16
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=145620

“THE BARBER OF SEVILLE” – Presented by the Merola Opera Program, 8/4-7
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=144571

“CASABLANCA” – The SF Symphony accompanies screening tonight, 7/22
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=143500

“HE WHO GETS SLAPPED” – A conversation with composer and pianist Matti Bye
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141506

SFMOMA – Spotlights Ceramics In Recent Art Practice – Now though 10/30
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=142745

SEPTEMBER 11th – “Opera In The Park” – The City’s Civic Observance of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141653

ABEL GANCE’S “NAPOLEON” – San Francisco Silent Film Festival to present complete restoration by Kevin Brownlow in 2012
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141704

"BILLY ELLIOT" – A high flying hit at the Orpheum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=137904

HEIDI MELTON – An Interview with “Sieglinde” in San Francisco Opera’s DIE WALKÜRE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=136787

DUTCH AND FLEMISH MASTERWORKS – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=140498

THE CASTRO AMBASSADORS – Got questions? Have answers!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=138785

MARY GIBBONEY – An Interview with the star of “ABSOLUTELY SAN FRANCISCO”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=138339

"DAS RHEINGOLD" – The slippery steps to Valhalla
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=134597

SONDHEIM’S “ASSASSINS” – Ray of Light Theatre is right-on target
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=132084

“TALES OF THE CITY” – Totally Sensational, Totally San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130807

BRENDEN GUY — British Clarinetist In Concert, June 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130065

BLUE MAN GROUP — Best show in town!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=129943

SFMOMA — The Steins Collect: Matisse, Picasso, and the Parisian Avant-Garde
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=128921

SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Opens July 14th with re-discovered film by John Ford
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=127988

TIIT HELIMETS – An Interview with “Prince Edvard” of SF Ballet’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=120731

NEW PUBLICATIONS: PUBLIC TRUST BETRAYED. An Interview with author and real estate appraiser, James E. Manning
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=117374

NEW CENTURY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – Presents “Mastery of Schubert”, Featuring Soprano Melody Moore, 3/24–27
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=113791

ZHENG CAO – A Conversation with A Miracle Artist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=111219

MELODY MOORE – Soprano shines in SF Ballet’s “Nanna’s Lied”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=110816

MARNIE BRECKENRIDGE – An Interview with “La Princesse” of Philip Glass’ Orphée
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=109326

EDITORIAL – A confession about ballerina Lorena Feijóo
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=107690

GISELLE – And the Legend of the Wilis
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=105461

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Opens September 9th with with Iréne Theorin as “Turandot”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104443

A Conversation with Elza van den Heever
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99268

HEART OF A SOLDIER – SF Opera Commissions New Work
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=98518

CLUB FOOT ORCHESTRA – A Conversation with Richard Marriot
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94863

WEST SIDE STORY – Most of it, anyway
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93786

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO – An Interview with the Tenor turned Baritone for “Cyrano”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93275

Dr. ELISA STEPHENS – A Visit with the President of the Academy of Art University
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=90791

CUBAN BALLET – An Interview with Octavio Roca
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86049

A Look At "Giselle" with Ballerina Lorena Feijóo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-a6Oa-0j4

DOLORA ZAJICK – Internationally Acclaimed Mezzo To Receive Merola Distinguished Alumni Award
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85363

SABINA ALLEMANN – Former SF Ballet Ballerina Returns In A.C.T.'s "The Tosca Project"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76516

AMANDA McBROOM – A conversation on her recording of songs by Jacques Brel
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879

CAMERON CARPENTER – An interview with Grammy-nominated organist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311

HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGagen
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774

PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63625

PIANIST MISHA DICHTER – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59695

ZUILL BAILEY – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=58241

DAVID PERRY – On the “Dos and Don’ts of Social Media”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56487

NATHAN GUNN – Sings Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56056

CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – A Conversation with Yaelisa
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51761

JANE MONHEIT – An Interview
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=48083

DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32007

CAMERON CARPENTER – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=24462

AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27122

A Conversation with Ruben Martin Cintas, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22107

THIS GUN FOR HIRE, 1942 – Looking at "Now you see it, now you don't" sung by Veronica Lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI26A6HdnWY

"My Silver Dollar Man" – from MARKED WOMAN (starring Bette Davis, 1937)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJMuY8aKFV8

"Would You Like A Souvenir?" – Sean Martinfield and Janet Roitz explore a song from Film Noir classic NORA PRENTISS (1947)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOiqTp0tjvg

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
SanFranciscoSentinel.com
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65