Reluctantly Learning Public Speaking

For each of us, there are parts of the job that bring us joy, and parts of the job that are just…unavoidable.

Personally, I often say that I’m usually the most introverted person in every room I walk into. For me, direct address of the audience during a concert performance is one of my least desired parts of the gig. I’d much rather be conducting with my back to the audience.

And yet, as I said…unavoidable. I can’t find a way around it, because it’s too important that I talk to the audience. I can help contextualize the performance, draw attention to coming events, ask for volunteers, give my students a breath between songs, and generally shape the mood of both the audience and the singers.

And so, I found a way to do the part that doesn’t bring me joy. I found a way by first imitating someone else, and later, by developing my own persona that helps me separate from my urge to leave the stage very fast.

I’m glad it’s not something I relish, because it makes me feel urgency to get back to the music. But I’m glad, too, that I’ve learned how to do it, rather than just not performing an essential part of my job.