Why I Teach

It might be true or it might be a curated memory based off of photos, home-videos now recorded over, and family telling me this. Either way, I believe it, so it is mine.

I am tiny and bubbly around the body. I am wide-eyed, freshly awake, and ready to watch my movie on repeat.

"Tv on"

"little mumu"

First words uttered.

The Little Mermaid.

My toes move around an old red carpet, even for the 1990s. I hear static and feel electricity on my finger tips running my smudgy peanut butter fingers on the tv screen. TV is great cause it blocks out the chaos around me. Jodi Benson's voice is angelic and free. She is bold and brave. She is heard. Her voice is her own. No prince to grab like she thinks. It's being heard and owning her voice. I can smell mom toasting something in the kitchen and dad is running late.

"Under the sea. Under the sea. Darling it's better, something something, take it from me"

I learn to make sounds from The Little Mermaid. Ariel gave me a lot.

I am mystified by what music did for me. It made me a life. Something to ground myself and find meaning in life. Without it, I wouldn't be here.

I am still astonished by what music can do for others. I feel its power everyday when I walk the dog and listen to my music. I see it when a student sings their favorite words.

I believe in it because not only do I feel the benefits myself but I see what it does for others on countless moments in voice lessons.