Separating the Singer from the Singing

Happy New Year! Let's get right to it. 

Usually my first blog of each semester focuses on some aspect of goal setting. As we know, having specific goals (not too vague) that are achievable (just outside of your current capabilities) and written down (not just kept in mind) is a reliable way to move toward improved performance. Let's talk in your lessons about what specific technical and artistic goals you may want to work toward this semester. 

For this first blog of 2026, I was encouraged by an article in the most recent Journal of Singing to consider making an additional goal for the semester. In a piece titled, "Building a Foundation of Trust in Vocal Pedagogy," author Matthew Benkert explores how our identities as singers can become intertwined with our feelings of self worth. As such, negative feedback about our vocal performance can be taken as criticism of who we are as people. This is something I'll discuss further in a later blog. To help prevent this from happening, Benkert suggests working to create a positive environment in voice lessons such that "the singing is separated from the singer." Why? As he says, "Without acknowledging and valuing the student for their humanity, there is little chance the student will value themselves, particularly when receiving feedback in a vulnerable learning environment." 

So, how can we create a healthy separation of our voices from our selves? Benkert offers some advice: "First, it is important that the student be treated as an individual first, then as a musician." Although this applies to how teachers relate to their students, it also applies to how we treat ourselves. We all have a multiplicity of identities, all of which intersect in unique ways that contribute to who we are. We all have values and ideals, morals and guiding principles that influence how we see ourselves in the world and that inform how we behave. In my case, I identify as a husband, son, sibling, friend, citizen, mentor, teacher, and, yes, singer (among other things). I'm a work in progress in all of these areas. I can recognize times when I have not been as good of a son or friend as I could have been, just as I can recognize times when I have not been as good of a teacher or singer as I am capable of. Those instances don't make me a bad person—they make me a PERSON. Building relationships takes time and attention, just like building vocal skills. And there is no final destination to reach, since we are always evolving. 

When you step into your voice lessons, you don't stop being all the various parts of who you are. You bring that along with you, which is exactly what you should do. I have often said that your voice is not your art. It's only the vehicle through which you bring your art to an audience. Your LIFE is your art. When you live a life of openness, curiosity, conversation, exploration, and relationship, you build a reservoir of deep experiences (both positive and negative) that form who you are. Once you know who you are and who you want to be, and determine the values that stem from each of your identities, you tend to act accordingly. 

The amalgamation of these experiences (who you are) is what you bring to your performances—not just your vocal capabilities. In fact, in my opinion, the only reason to cultivate and build our vocal capacities is so that we are better able to communicate what we know and feel in our hearts. If forced to choose, I would always rather watch a performance of someone with a less-polished voice expressing something heartfelt than someone with pristine tones who doesn't have much to say. 

Of course, as we all know, our vocal instruments certainly do require both training and care, especially if we are to build sustainable careers. But, if we become bound to our voices in such a way that it keeps us from having relationships and experiences, it comes at the expense of developing our artistry (our lives). 

The good news is that you don't have to abandon your routine and your schedule in order to seek out life-altering experiences so that you might build an artistic life. Mother Teresa is credited with having said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Every day we are surrounded by opportunities to have meaningful experiences (or to be the impetus for meaningful interactions). All we have to do is be open to them and have the courage to pursue them. 

So, alongside establishing some goals to help build your technique and creativity this semester, what are some goals you have to build your artistry? In other words, how can you be more intentional about making the experiences of your days and your relationships with others more meaningful and, thus, your life more of a work of art? 

Let's have a great semester. 

Now go practice.