More and more, I think this is my most important job.
More important than my musical insights or expertise. More important than my rehearsal plan or preparation before and after rehearsal. More important than the part recordings, piano skills, or vocal technique lessons.
It comes down to this: my students have more focus when I’m in front of them. They sing the same pieces better when I’m there. Even if I stand stock still for 90% of a run, they sing better.
It’s my goal, always, to reduce how much better they sing with me than without me…and knowing why they sing better is a huge step toward that goal.
My students sing better because they are more mentally focused when I’m in front of them. I bring focus.
In time, they will learn, as we all do, to bring their own focus, rather than relying on an external source. It’s my job to help that learning happen.