Open Mic
I am always looking for ways to give students performance experiences and open mics are a wonderful opportunity for musicians. Just like any performance, it takes a lot of nerve to get up in front of anyone. You feel vulnerable, self conscious and beyond nervous (and honestly convinced that you might get booed). Luckily, open mics tend to have some of the most supportive crowds and the group at Mechanistic Brewery a few weeks ago was no exception.
Four of my students came out to perform, with them came family, friends and even students who had never even met them. Before every performance I help vocalists warm up and then we all talk a little about how they feel. We retell a story, “Brownies for Breakfast” to address how to handle mess ups while performing. This group of 4 women range from 6th grade to adult. Hearing them talk to each other about how nervous they feel sounds like it wouldn’t be one of the wonderful things about my career, but it is the same idea as to why individual athletes are part of a team. Different ages, experience, lives all in common for a moment together. This doesn’t make it easy, but it absolutely makes it easier to get out there.
Rylee started by singing and playing her (new!) guitar on a mini set that we have been working on for months. She is no stranger to performing, as she is a prize winning dancer whose ability in tap shoes is inspiring. No doubt that her experience on stage helped her command the crowd with 4 songs that she loves. We have only worked together for less than a year, but I know she has so much to share and I feel lucky to be a part of it.
Mia has been taking piano and voice for a little while and her excitement to perform is contagious. She had not realized that she would be able to go until a few days ahead. So we practiced “One Call Away” with a few extra lessons so that she would be ready. Her voice has grown so much and I am so excited she loves music and performing because she will only get more and more amazing!
Ginny is one of many adult students. I don’t pressure adults to perform, I don’t think that has to be your only goal for learning music, so I let them guide me to know if and when they are ready. She understands how rewarding putting yourself in an uncomfortable position can be and so we prepared a few songs and she sang confidently to the audience. I need to coin a term for the complexity of feelings for an adult performing. The emotions are huge to start with and they turn from nerves to terror to fantasies of sprinting away. Then the performance starts, whether you want it or not, and before you know it you are doing what you thought you couldn’t. You then get to the other side, realizing that you did something that many many people can’t, and you get to relax and enjoy it. It only gets better as others take the time to come and tell you how wonderful you did.
Ryann has been taking lessons for years and seeing her standing at the keyboard sharing some of her favorite songs in a way that makes people want to ask about the composers is truly inspiring. This girl plays intense classical piano pieces, accompanies the high school choir, sings in musicals, is a drum major for marching band and also brings Lana del Ray and The Backseat Lovers to life at an open mic. She is only a high school junior and I cannot wait to know her as she continues to push herself through nervous moments to share her (if I do say so myself) wonderful taste in music.
Thank you so much to Justin for being a patient, talented and helpful host for open mics. And I so appreciate that students of all ages are welcome to perform. Mechanistic Brewery has done such a service to our community by having a family friendly environment that feels comfortable for so many different ages. The number of high schoolers who came to support their friends is so heartwarming. At the same time many children got to see their future idols up there who will inspire them to do the same in the future. Thanks Clarion for all the support and encouragement for the arts!