There's nothing more American then a good competition. Last Friday I had a chance to compete in the annual NATS competition (NATS stands for the national association for the teachers of singing). I can't say exactly way I entered. I didn't feel like I was prepared, nor did I feel like I had any possibility to place. I competed in this same competition 2 years ago... I managed to get third only because my division consisted of 10 people. Its grown considerably since then.
My first obstacle was the preliminary round. I faced singers that were, in my opinion, far more skilled than I was. To my surprise, I struck a chord with the judicators, who told me when I was finished that I had 'great technique.' The next morning I had to sing in the semi-final round. I wasn't nervous, because, once again, I didn't think I was headed for the finals. I was in utter shock to see my name grace the finals board. I was part of the top three classical singers in my division. At that point I knew first place was out of my reach ( I was competing with BYU's singer of the year), so I sang in the finals feeling completely content with how far I had come. I placed third... familiar territory, yet somehow it felt so satisfying. Maybe a professional singing career isn't so far fetched. The entire experience left me with an added sense of who I am and what I'm trying to accomplish. Singing is who I am, and someday people around the world are going to know me for it.
