Imposter Syndrome vs "Do It Scared".

Reality is we all struggle wondering if we're enough. "I don't fit in anywhere". "I can't do anything right". "I'm a failure". "Why don't I feel like I'm good enough"? Relate to these and other statements. Welcome to my world as a piano teacher, musician, educator, accompanist, music theater endorser. I feel like I can't do anything well at this "stage in my life".

I'm trying to learn music like Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 for Piano, Moonlight Sonata movements #3, Moussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (especially Gnomes at this point), Le Tombeau de Couperin by Ravel, Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu. Even Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca, Jennifer Thomas' Etude for the Dreamer, Liszt transcription of Ode to Joy (Symphony No. 9 Opus 125), Clair de Lune by Debussy, Pow! Pow! Pow. Mr Incredibles Theme.

I can play the music so slowly that it may not sound like the song. Yet what if all that is needed is I attempt to play the music slowly? What if that's enough at this point?

There are plays and musicals that I would like to do through my business, that I can't afford, yet they are happening through the school I accompany at. Plus I'm obtaining opportunites for do choreography with the kids at the school. At this point my budget will not allow me to afford Newsies like we did last year at Brooks Middle School, yet what a blessing to serve the school as an accompanist and choreographer for Newsies Jr last year.

Two summers ago I had the chance to do a music theater camp of a smaller adaptation of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, incorporating music and choreography from the Broadway Show. What an amazing experience to put on a show that like. Last summer I had enough vocal students in my studio for them to sing three Broadway songs, with two part harmony and audience participation. In October of this year, I'm trying to get as many of my vocal and piano students to sing parts of a medley from Into the Woods, that every student is enjoying learning.

At the moment I may not be playing and singing in the community like I did in the fourteen years of the studio. A lot of my piano students are struggling with knowing their notes on the staff, no matter how I reinforce. In fact most of my students only know Middle C. LOL. If you want to feel like a failure, then there you go. However the students keep returning and I keep trying.

Recently a friend shared about an chance to play music with professional musicians and at one point in the rehearsing, the friend stepped away feeling like the person couldn't do it by memory. The professional musicians identified music that my friend could play on the fiddle. What caught my attention was the three words the friend shared that resonate: Do It Scared. Think about that. Do It Scared. Just do it and no matter the emotions, just try. The friend overcame the Imposter Symdrome and did the words: Do It Scared.

Fail and try. One of my voice students said today, I'll try. That's all that I ask. Just try. So instead of me being scared, just do it. Just play the music that's "bigger than myself". Sing the vocal selections that will stretch me. Do the acting parts that will make me better. Do the choreography, even if you are not a professional dancer. Do it scared and face the Imposter Syndrome. My YouTube videos are not perfect, yet I try my best. That's all that I ask of my students, so why not with me.

I hope this finds you encouraged, moving forward with all that you're desiring to learn. I may feel like a failure, yet the truth is I'm getting back up to try again. What are you struggling with in regards to Imposter Syndrome? What are things that you're doing scared? Would like to know. Thanks for your support. Blessings.