GIFT & EFFECT
The cause & effect of the gifts I've received

Since I was three years of age I loved visiting my aunty Maria. She was a singing teacher and the funnest person. Try to imagine someone who is eccentric with a tad of lunacy and that's her! She's also incredibly compassionate and loyal as well. I was incredibly blessed to have her in my life. Singing lessons with her are moments that I have treasured my whole life. Along with piano lessons from my aunty Nancy who is just as wild and like a second mum, it's no surprise I ended up a music teacher myself.

My upbringing at home became stressful and unstable when I turned 9. My father became ill for a long period of time which created this compounding effect of anxiety and overall disappointment with life for everyone in my family. Singing and playing the piano became my escape in the home. My Nonna Francesca in Italy who I was named after had gifted me an upright piano and so it became a wonderful distraction! I never got to know her but I am very thankful for that investment into my life. 

Living generously with whatever is in your hand will have a follow on effect, and from what I have seen, it can ripple for decades and generations to come. Some gifts may be require finance like the piano my Nonna got me. Some gifts require time like the time my aunts spent over years teaching me. Then there are other gifts that are like words of encouragement, and many people along the way has encouraged me with kind words about my singing. All of this has helped shape me into the person and the life I am living today. 

This is why teaching singing is way beyond just a job for me, it's my chance to pass it forward. I am on the look out for the ones who I know will catch onto their experience with me and pass it on. Like the flame of the Olympics, I know I'm carrying a flame, I'm responsible for nurturing it, taking it further and and hope that others will catch it and carry it on beyond where I will ever be able to go myself. 

After 15 years of teaching I can honestly say that the flame has already dispersed. There are young singers gigging, recording, writing and pursing what they love because of the foundations I helped them lay. I know that every time I teach a young person, their parents are trusting me with something precious and I want to help see that child grow in their confidence and love for life. 

If you are a singer have you ever considered becoming a vocal coach? I am part of a large International organisation of vocal teachers who are passionate about vocal truth and teaching a technique that works for everyone. If you would like to join me on a new exciting journey that involves singing and helping others, I think you'll really love this. I'd love to hear from you!