To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: before I give it all up....(long)
Date sent: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:15:49 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Molly,

Have you tried to switch teachers? If you have and it hasn't worked, try
again. Don't take "no" for an answer. Tell them you'll work harder than
anyone else and be more open to growth and change than anyone else - and
mean it. Those two characteristics are what make a student deserve the best
teacher around (going on the Tortoise and Hare theory of educational
psychology).

As to your setback, you probably already know that you've got to stew over
it for a while, then plunge all your energy into your work - take an "I'll
show them!" attitude and you won't lose. No matter how great you are, be
determined to be better, to be impossibly good, unreasonably excellent.

Half the frustration I read in your letter came from situations beyond your
control, but the other half seemed to come from within - from the insecurity
that we all have, from that little voice (that we all have) that whispers
"you didn't get the gig 'cause you're not good enough!" when we lose out.
The only way to make that voice take a hike is to feel the kind of
confidence that comes from excellence - and the only way for a vocalist to
become excellent is to be with a good teacher.

Semester break is here, praise God - and if I remember correctly from
college (1700 years ago) semester breaks are a great time to recharge your
batteries and renew your will to succeed. You go!

Peace,

Carol Spradling
(veteran loser of roles, parts, jobs, gigs, boyfriends, apartments, and
wristwatches - and still here!)