Here we were at the back of the bar at the Intercontinental hotel. “Hi! I’m Tina!” I said as I shook Leas’ hand. “Yes! We met on Twitter!” Lea said.
Wow! My hero, my idol, someone that I have looked up to for over 30 years remembers me. She had responded to my blog post just before her Sydney concert: You can read it here: How to deal with Haters, Critics and Judgemental people
She told us how starving she was after her Sydney Concert at the Sydney Town Hall. I had an out of “body experience” as I sat next to Lea while she ate her burger and chips.
I think that’s the experience you get when you are in the moment.
You see everything slowing down. Yep! That’s the state I wanted to be in when I met my hero.
After years of learning her songs and listening to her recordings, I reflected back. If I had made the first Sydney cast of Miss Saigon, would I have been at this table next to Lea Salonga? I think not….
This is where my life was meant to be.
I look back and think everything has a time, there is a purpose and trust God or the universe.
I felt like all the hustle, let downs and the highs had led to this very moment.
I was happy to just “BE.”
Be in the moment. Be me.
This was my celebration.
I didn’t need to get the “selfie” with Lea.
I was just happy to soak everything in. Thank you Lea for being so gracious and down to earth. I enjoyed just chatting about our families and life.
I am thankful to our mutual friend Rosary for introducing us. A bigger thank you to Rob and Christian for their patience.
Carol Monoloto, thank you for including my students and I at Lea’s first ever Sydney concert, what an incredible experience! Thank you to the production team, fellow support artists and especially to Andrew Baris, our dance teacher, who has the gift of bringing out the best out of us!
Thank you to the One Voice families and students for your continued support. I am extremely proud of the kids who put their heart and soul into their performances.
How do you celebrate your wins? Do you celebrate your wins? Tell us in the comments below.
Like, comment, and share this post with someone you think should celebrate more often!
I want you to think about your latest achievement and make sure you give yourself a pat on the back. Sometimes we forget and we move on to the next goal.
You deserve that celebration.
Musically your Tina xx
If you loved these amazing photos Photo Credit goes to: Dennis Pelaez dpelaezphotography.com.au (the twins’ dad)
Thank you Cherlize’s dad Cy for taking this footage of our performance.
If you would like a copy of Be heard you can download it here on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/be-heard/id944094298?i=944094307
I spent last week in bed with the flu. When you have a blocked nose, sore back and joints you realise what you take for granted. Just being able to breathe and move painlessly and freely is a blessing!
The accumulation of anxious, stress and high expectation had hit me and bowled me over. It started at the first rehearsal for the Lea Salonga concert is which is to be held on Friday 31st of July 2015 at the Sydney Town Hall. The director said to the whole cast, “You know there’s been talk of people in the community wondering why amateur performers have been chosen to be the support act for international star Lea Salonga.”
“Some people are not liking the choices made.”
Some even taking to facebook asking why would people pay $150 to watch a bunch of amateurs, even boasting “Looks like I have stirred something in the Filipino-Australian community.”
Others commented back, defending the choices made saying, “they are the quiet achievers in the community.”
I started to feel every cell in my body deflate.
I had so much doubt in my mind- what if they are right? Am I kidding myself? Am I deserving of this opportunity?
Yes, me! Someone who has had 20 years experience as a professional singer and Vocal Teacher.
Let’s face it, there are so many amazing Filipino- Australian singers in the community, some well known in the community, some waiting to be discovered, some quietly working their butt off studying their craft, slowly planting the seeds.
How lucky are we to have the opportunity to watch them grow!
So before you use the term amateur with a negative connotation, think about this:
Of course while studying at school (because that’s where children are supposed to be at during the day) they study and work on the craft after school, attending singing lessons, dance lessons, choir practices or rehearsing for upcoming shows.
Some are part of organisations that perform for corporate gigs, concerts and big events in Sydney.
Some have worked and sung on stage together with international acts like Charice and David Pomeranz (who has graciously mentored some of these kids and myself)
Some gracing the stage of amateur community productions as the leading ladies (which normally are filled with professional musicians, and singers who just want to give back to the community or are waiting for the next professional show to start back in town)
Some kids have even represented Australia in major singing competitions overseas.
Two will be creating their first album of original songs and one of them will be working with producers who have worked with Jessica Malbouy, this particular student had also graduated with honours at Newtown performing arts school and is now studying music full time.
One has been a recording artist in the Philippines.
One has performed for a function in front of the Australian Prime Minister.
Some performed in Disneyland, Universal studios, and major theme parks in LA and have sung and performed down Hollywood Boulevard, part of the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
Before Marlisa was “Marlisa” winner of X-factor, I remember preparing her and a bunch of other talented kids to be a support act for one of the biggest stars in the Philippines- Sharon Cuneta.
When will you embrace their gifts? When they make it on reality TV?
Who’s to say you are not special NOW.
These kids are gems, being polished and nurtured over time. Without opportunities like this they will not flourish…you will not see their greatness, they will not be able to shine and showcase how special they are.
So before you judge; please take a look at yourself.
What have you done or what are you doing to follow your dreams?
If you are following your dreams! Great. So you know how hard it is when people around you say, “You can’t!” You are always the first one to defy them and show them what you are made of.
Don’t dampen the dreams of kids who only see the good, who only want to sing because it makes them feel alive.
This event is a celebration of song and expression.
A celebration of what Lea represents to the Filipino community all around the world, especially to the young.
Hope! That’s what she represents. The hope that if you work hard and never lose sight of your dreams, you can make things happen.
Lea is someone I looked up to and have admired since the age of 7. She inspired me to call my School “ONE VOICE.”
One voice can change the world…Lea’s voice changed my world, it created a ripple affect that has reached our shores and what an incredible impact she has in our children’s lives, especially my students.
So no matter if you are a budding or professional performer don’t let anyone bring you down! Keep believing! Be heard!
Here are 6 ways to deal with the “Haters” or “Judgmental” people:
First of all forgive them- Sometimes they haven’t really thought about their negative comments and the effect it can have, some just have no idea what it’s all about and not really thinking about the bigger picture.
Don’t dwell on what you cannot control. Thoughts can consume you and the worry and stress is wasted energy. Focus on what you need to get done and the finer details so you can crush your goals and make your performances even better.
If there is some truth to what they say, then use it to “Fuel your Fear” a term I got from author Kassandra Bibas. Work extra harder during the rehearsals and take it constructively. Be the best you can be! This quote was a golden nugget after a chat with performance coach Ed Tseng – “Fear and insecurity are just memory and imagination ~Michael Neill”
Surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you in an honest and genuine way. Talk to a coach, a mastermind group or someone that can give you strategies to overcome any negative thinking.
List down all the amazing and wonderful things you have already achieved. My cousin Remy shared this with me: “Let go, or be dragged.” ~Zen proverb.
Be grateful that you have been chosen to be part of something bigger than yourself. Life coach Heidi Howes mentioned to “Look outwards rather than inwards.”
I hope this helps you overcome any stress caused by negative energy. A big thank you to the people who helped me get through the past few weeks: Andrew Baris, Ed Tseng, Heidi Howes, Sharon, my mastermind group – Kassandra, Phil and Keri and especially Rob and Christian.
How do you deal with haters and judgmental people?
Tell us in the comments below. It might just help someone else.
If you found this to be helpful please like, comment and share this post.
Lea Salonga will be on our TV screens here in Australia on the Today show, Wednesday 29th of July 2015. Channel 9. Watch between 6am-9am.
There are a few tickets left for Lea Salonga Tickets this coming Friday the 31st of July 2015, Sydney Town Hall.
I hope to see you there and if you see a support artist in the crowd the night of the concert, please give them a word of encouragement; it will make a world of difference.
If you would like to listen to some of my inspirational musical guest please subscribe to my new podcast on iTunes “One Voice can change the world.”
Last night I was at a party and someone mentioned they watched the Darren Espanto and Lyca Gairanod Sydney concert. They were the winners of the Voice Philippines. She was amazed on how wonderful Darren and Lyca took to the stage and interacted with the audience. I agreed with her 100%. What you see is a product of hours of rehearsing, touring and full time work. There is no doubt that if a child has the opportunity to live, breathe and work in a performing environment they will soar and stand out on stage- especially when they had the vocal ability, stage presence and DRIVE in the first place. That is their job… they are to sing the same songs, the same patter every night at every show as well as every media appearance.
Lyca, only 10 years old, captured the audience with her wonderful personality, it was amusing to see her personality shine through whist telling jokes and leaving the audience wanting more. Darren had a Voice that was so powerful and agile. A very humble and charming 14-year-old boy who originally came from Canada.
One Voice Kids had an amazing time supporting Darren Espanto and Lyca Gairanod. We were privileged and honoured that Cheers entertainment invited the kids to be part of the show.
I always tell the kids I teach to expect the unexpected. Always be prepared for microphones to not work or blocking needing to be changed due to uncontrollable circumstances.
One Voice consisted of Jade Lee ,Charlize Santos,Jared Lesaca, Jill Gutierrez, Lorenz Garcia, Olivia Bosworth, Jessica Jerusalem, Elouise Kalixte Pelaez, Imarosa Kei Tungul, Kaitryel Pelaez, Khristienne Ison , Joy Laquian, Angelo Marasigan. They shared the support act with 7 wonderful local talents that night. Mikee Anne de Leon, Dani de Leon, Chelsea Castillo, Jasmine Montemayor Henry, Danikka and Daniela Vassallo and Chantelle Santos.
So the unexpected did happen where microphones didn’t work and luckily one performer was professional enough to keep going. She belted out the song and the audience cheered for her because they supported her courageous act to keep singing.
An accumulation of these events can make any performer (budding or seasoned) anxious.
Anxiety can come in a few forms:
Sweaty Palms
Dry mouth
Tears
Shallow fast breathing
Forgetfulness
Inability to move on the stage
Here are 15 ways to overcome these anxiety attacks before a show.
1. Make sure you have perfectly practiced before the show. Go over the songs and know your lyrics inside out before you hit the stage
2. Get a Vocal Coach to help you with problem areas and to make sure the song in the right key for you. Do not rely on just your lessons to practice; you must do the hard work at home too.
3. Do the movements that you have gone over with your coach, trust that you will be fine. Your coach makes you practice the moves so that when stage fright occurs you do the moves that you have been working on in class without having to think about them, it should come second nature. When you feel comfortable on stage that is when you can allow yourself to adlib. But when in doubt always go back to what you have been practicing or working on with your coach. Also practice how you will introduce your songs or interact with the audience.
4. Use the iPad, recording device or your phone to record your rehearsal performance, moves and facial expression. Watch it back (even if it’s painful) notice what is working and fix what is not.
5. Visualize the moves, the way you would love to sound like, your look (costume, hair) in your head every night before the concert. Visualize even the audience members- picture your friends and family in the audience happily supporting you.
6. Make sure you find out what the stage looks like before hand and do your research. Does it have stairs, does it have backstage curtains, where will you enter and exit, will you have a cordless microphone or chorded microphone, will someone be handing the microphone to you. Will you be handing the microphone to someone after your song?
7. Do not wear clothes that make you feel uncomfortable – make sure your shoes and clothes are comfortable to move in and that make you feel like a star.
8. Use essential oils. Marv Johnson, the essential oil educator has four recommendations to ease anxiety and to calm the nerves before a performance. Marv’s podcast is one of my favourite podcasts I listen to. You can see why here: The essential oil podcast.
First is Frankincense: It is very calming to the nervous system. Put a couple of drops in your hands, rub together gently, cup and inhale. Three to five deep breaths have a quick and instant effect. Then gently massage on the back of the neck.
Second is Lavender: Studies have shown that the inhalation of lavender oil can communicate signals to the olfactory system and stimulate the brain to exert neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin and dopamine) thereby further regulating mood.
The third is Wild Orange essential oil. Wild orange creates both a sense of calm and alertness. Put a couple of drops in your hands, rub together gently, cup and inhale. Three to five deep breaths have a quick and instant effect. Then gently massage on the back of the neck.
Marv personally likes peppermint oil because it is a stimulant and typically when he feels fear and he gets subdued. The peppermint oil stimulates the oxygen flow to the brain providing a sense of sharpness and confidence.
9. Exhaling out and inhaling deeply will help.
10. If you feel that you have lack of energy a few star jumps to wake you up.
11. Drink plenty of water, at least 20 minutes before a performance to keep you hydrated.
12. If you have a dry mouth slightly and gently bite on your tongue to release saliva.
13. Do your vocal warm ups– general rule is to do a long warm up for a short set and a short warm up for a long set.
14. Talk to a friend or family member if that calms you down. Give them a hug or high five and SMILE…. remember that its just fun!
15. Also something that I always do before a show or when my students have a concert is Pray. Giving gratitude to God or to the universe makes a big difference. The best part is when we all hold hands and one of the students leads the prayers. It really makes me feel alive and grateful to know that we are making a difference in a child’s life one song at a time.
Hope this helps! If you want more Vocal tips and learn how you can sing on stage with the stars please sign up to our newsletter.
Musically yours Tina
P.S Don’t forget One Voice will be support acts to Ms Lea Salonga on the 31st of July, Sydney Town Hall. Tickets are now on sale. For more information email me at tina [at] tinabangel [dot] com
P.S.S I have a few private lessons slots available for term 2. Please contact me if you would like me to mentor you, I would love to meet you and work with you or your child.
I’m so excited to share the video Charice made for the One Voice students! In the video she talks about how it is an honour and a privilege to be an inspiration to young singers.
I hope it inspires people to keep dreaming!
Thank you to past and current One Voice students for their continued support and belief!
In 2010, my students made a YouTube Video to meet Charice! Many people shared our video and supported us including Lea Salonga! Because of this, the video went viral among Charice’s fans. I would have never thought that it would happen but it’s finally coming true after 4 yrs!!!
A special thanks to Cheers E Australia for making this happen!
Please share if you believe that dreams can come true.
Here is the original video One Voice made. This was when Charice was in Glee hence the Sunshine Corazon costumes and glasses. The video has now over 27,000 hits.
