Experience is a great teacher

I sang back-up vocals during worship at church on Sunday, and found myself thinking through some of the advice I've given over the years to kids in my shows. Stand up straight to give your lungs room. Smile, to brighten the tone. Use your abdominal muscles to push that air out for long notes. Oh, and listen to the music and yourself to make sure you sound good. Of course, I warmed up first, both vocal chords and mouth.

All that, and remembering the words, the repeats and loops, the dynamics. It's good as a director to have experiences actually doing what I tell my actors to do. That way, I know if my advice works. Plus, I have more empathy for them!