go for it! Don't overthink!!!

Seriously. We drives ourselves batty with "am I ready? have I done my homework? is my technique perfect? Can I sing the aria if I can't sing the role yet? Do I have roles on my resume? What if I don't go to a big name school?" bla bla fucking bla.

All through undergrad, I was told, wait wait wait. Well you know what? I regret it big time, because I go back to those recordings, and it was exciting at 21. But I was so paranoid about not being so perfectly ready. By the time I was older and entered, sure, I did well and got lots of positive feedback, but they expected me to be at a certain level by then--I built it up so much in my mind, much of my package felt over-thought and over-controlled---Meanwhile, there are 21 year olds who I knew personally who just did it on a whim and went for it without giving it too much thought (i.e., well these are the 5 arias I happen to know!), and they went all the way! Sure, it wasn't necessarily polished and perfect, but it's not just about that anymore.

I say go for it. If you get lots of feedback along the lines of "you just need more time, work on the following and try again in a few years" you know to wait a while till next time.

I've noticed that there seem to be two types in finals--those who are in their early 20's with great instruments who are just going for it with no inhibition, though they may not be ready to do a role yet or have a "career"--and then the older singers who are polished and ready to go. I think a great and unique instrument with tremendous potential can make a killing in this thing even if it is unwieldy and the person has no experience.

Don't overthink this thing. Just give it a whirl.

BQ

"Until last week, I thought legato was a cured meat!"

--Paul Abhelha, Bathroom Divas