From time to time, we have guest bloggers visit us here.  Today we’ll enjoy some reflections from Bridget Westhoven, board member and choir parent to two of our fabulous singers:

One old chestnut that teachers like to use with their students is that “you never stop learning.”  Our College Prep Workshop that we held Nov. 3 was a great case in point.  Everyone in the room, including the speakers walked away with new information about the college application and audition process.  Each of our eight talented and experienced speakers had so much to share and so much enthusiasm that they were able to keep a room full of kids and parents engaged for the better part of five hours… just remarkable.  The audience this time around did not include very many musical theater kids, but Tracia Austin seemed to be a crowd favorite nonetheless.  Her confident carriage and demeanor really showed everyone in the room that she was a professional who brings her “A Game” every time she stands up in front of a group of people.  I think just watching her body language during her presentation was valuable to performers of all kinds.  Her message about never apologizing or offering excuses during an audition was great as well.  As musicians we never want to stop trying to achieve perfection, but we need to also accept that every day will NOT be our best day and there will always be some auditions we don’t get.  That’s OK and it’s part of life. ~Bridget Westhoven

Tracia Austin speaks at College Prep Workshop 2013.

A few of our workshop speakers L to R: Suzanne M. Parker, Jeffrey Reihl, Lee Hanchey, Rebecca Tyree, Erin Freeman, LaToya Draper (not pictured: Russell Wilson. He was busy taking photos and making recordings of the event!)