Hey Lilian! My name is Katie. I've always had this tug of war with shyness but I'm starting to break out of it and be more outgoing. We have this choir at my junior high school, but I was always too shy to sign up for it because I thought I couldn't carry a tune. But now, I'm sort of thinking about joining it this year. The problem is that people are psyching me out by saying they have to do solo's in front of the whole class. I'm not sure if I should ignore it or just stop. I was in the band last year and we had to do a solo in front of the class. I was really nervous so, of course, my clarinet squeaked. Everyone laughed, including me. I took it as a positive.

I'm really confused, what do you think I should do?

Thanks,
Katie

Hi Katie. Let me start by wishing you a very Happy New Year!! With that said, seeing that it is the new year, I think your resolution should be to break out and challenge yourself! If singing is what you want to do, then I always say … do it!! Don't let anyone talk you out of it. Personally, I think you should totally join your school choir because it will introduce you to new things and will help you get over your shyness which will help you in many aspects of your life!

Hearing about your clarinet squeaking, I have to say that I applaud you because you didn't let it defeat you. You laughed it off which was the best thing to do. I have had so many instances in my life when my voice has cracked during a performance, I've fallen over a monitor on stage, forgotten the words to a song, and the list goes on. In all these instances, I just laughed it off. Many times it is how you recover from a fumble that will mean more than the actual flub. It totally says that you are human! The trick is to not let that bring you down. That is why I really like that song by Chumbawamba that says, "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down!" Always remember that!

In life you will face things that will scare you, but what defines you is whether you are going to let fear paralyze you or go out and face that fear head on! Katie, I think you can be that determined person this year that faces her fears and knocks them down!! 

So, if they ask you to sing a solo, then sing it loud and proud and full of confidence even if on the inside you are scared to death! When you finish, you will have a great sense of accomplishment that will totally make you feel proud of yourself!! It doesn't even matter if you can sing in tune or not. What matters is that you did it!! Just know that once you get that first solo out of the way, the others will be a lot easier, and if you work really hard then your voice should keep improving. 

Good luck to you & rock on!

Forever Rockin',
Lilian

 E-mail Lilian for advice now

The opinions expressed herein are for general interest purposes only. Lilian Garcia, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, contributors, contractors, licensees, successors, assigns and agents make no express or implied representations or warranties about, or shall be liable for, any direct, indirect, reliance, incidental, special or consequential damages or losses arising out of or in connection with the use of these opinions, this site, its contents, or any products or services referred to herein. This includes (but is not restricted to) loss or damage you might suffer as a result of your reliance on the accuracy, completeness, suitability or currency of the opinions and advice expressed herein and the contents of this site.