To help a vocal student with audition anxiety, I suggest several strategies. Breathing exercises can calm nerves and improve breath control, while a gentle warm-up eases the voice without strain. I encourage viewing the audition as a job interview, shifting focus from pressure to professionalism. Practice and preparation are key, as confidence grows with familiarity; I simulate the audition to reduce fear of the unknown. Lastly, positive reinforcement helps them focus on their strengths and progress, building confidence to shine on stage.

I always tell my students to do good breathing exercises to slow down exhalation and stretch just before auditions. This way they become more relaxed physically and then for their minds I tell them to remind themselves how far they have come and cheer themselves on as their best supporters. Also never to forget that the people who matter in their lives are vouching for them. So go break a leg🤗

Stay in the moment, the audition people want you to be the right person, they are on your side. We get nervous because we want to do our best, so if you’ve done the practice before hand you’ll be fine as you are prepared. Breathe, tell the story of the song and share your love of singing / acting / dancing. You have a gift … share it x

Auditions can be incredibly nerve-wracking, even for the most seasoned performers—and that's okay! I remind my students that feeling nervous means they care about it, and that’s a good thing. When preparing for an audition, I always encourage them to work hard and then, when it’s time to perform, trust that they’ve put in the effort. You might be 5'3", an amazing singer and dancer, and give the best audition of your life, but if the role calls for someone who’s 6', that’s beyond your control. What matters is that you can always take pride in the preparation and hard work you’ve invested. And when everything aligns—the right audition, the right preparation, and being exactly what the director is looking for—that success feels even sweeter.

They are not tests - they're opportunities to show off! There is also no one on your audition panel hoping you do a bad job. Everyone on that panel wants/hopes to see the best you can do.

I advise students to record themselves practicing, then to sing through the audition with just me, then bring a parent, sibling, or trusted friend or two in to listen to them practice, and then build up to having larger groups of people hear them sing. I encourage students to audition and perform as often as possible. Is there a chance to do a solo at a choir concert or sing the National Anthem at a football game? Great! Does the organist need someone to sing the psalm at Mass? Volunteer. The more students sing in front of people, the easier it gets. The other piece of the puzzle is to help students overprepare and be fully memorized. I often tell students, "Don't practice til you get it right, practice until it's hard to get it wrong."

One thing I found helpful is warm water after taking it don't forget to play with your voice so that you adjust it or set it in the way you prefer it sounds. Make sure that immediately after you drunk the water you sing but don't also forget to breath accordingly with the flow of the song.

Neben Stimmbildung und Atemtechniken helfen mir verschiedene Tools aus dem NLP und der Resilienzlehre meine Schüler*innen dabei zu begleiten, hinderliche Glaubenssätze zu erkennen und “umzuwandeln”. Ebenfalls arbeite ich mit den verschiedenen inneren Anteilen, die wir alle in uns tragen.