What does teaching do? For me the coach? For you the student?

In response to an essay I recently read by Stu Hamstra, Cabaret Hotline Online, entitled ARE CABARET WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES AND MASTER CLASSES WORTHWHILE?,  I commented ….

As someone who has been “coaching, teaching, putting on seminars and workshops and master classes” for singers, and someone who has taken many, many, many of them myself, I really appreciated this essay.  The most valuable aspect, I think, is that the “students” take what they learn out into the world, if in fact that is what they came to the workshop to do.

Since I work with folks at all levels, it’s also true that some participants would not be singing out at all and this is their opportunity to do their dream.  For some, the concert at the end of the program is the dream. “

And then there’s what I get from coaching others – first off, I’m like a mother-hen and am proud of my students as they grow week after week, and then shine in performance. You can often find me weeping with joy and pride as I witness their growth.

And magically, which all coaches and teachers know, there’s my own learning – I grow from teaching. I remind myself of what works so I can reincorporate that back into my own performance; and what doesn’t work so I can re-look at my own work to see if I am doing what I say to do.

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So now I go off to Seattle to co-lead a workshop with Arnaldo! 

Linda Kosut & Arnaldo! Performance Workshop

A performance workshop in the American Cabaret Style will have a concert on Saturday evening, October 1 with performances by the participants in the workshop and of course, Arnaldo! and me. Concert tickets: $20 + 2-drink min. Space is limited to reserve your seats now. 

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