Expert: Laura Interval - 1/2/2010

Question
hi, my name is torrence i am 13 and live in fresno,ca. i love to sing and want to become a profesional singer,but theres one problem i have stage fright. i can sing in a group,to my choir teacher,family,and friends,but large crowds scare me. i really want to show people what i can do but i don't know how. has anyone you ever helped have stage fright if so how did they get over it.

Answer
Hi Torrence,
Believe me,  I understand your pain!  I think almost every performer experiences some sort of performance anxiety at some time or another.  I certainly have.  And I never really got the whole "picture the crowd in their underwear" philosophy ... which is what some people say to do to overcome your jitters.  You can try that!  But, if that doesn't work for you ... try to think of things this way:
Your stage fright is most likely coming from your fear of how your performance is going to go.  In other words, you're worried about the result of your performance... what people are going to think ... how you are going to sound... etc...  Instead, try to focus on WHAT you're doing... and why you are doing it.  What are you going to sing?  What story are you going to tell?  That's your purpose... focus on that.  REALLY TELL YOUR STORY.  Know that the people WANT to hear you... they are there for you.  It sounds like you have a gift for singing... so, give that gift to your audience!  Don't think of it as a large audience.  Think of it as a single person and just tell them your story!  
Pick out one person in the audience (preferably in the back) if you have to... and just sing what you want to say.  Stay grounded in your purpose and your nerves will go away.  Your performance will be over  before you even had a chance to be nervous!
Hope this helps.
Best of luck to you ... and SING OUT LOUD!
Sincerely
Laura