I used to regularly audition and perform in amateur and semi professional musicals from my teens to my early twenties. My dream was to live the life of a stage actor and singer like Geraldine Turner, whom I believed to be Australia’s musical theatre queen.

Whenever I came across singing roles that required a mezzo soprano range, rather than my comfortable alto, I would really struggle. I had a fear of singing beyond a high C!

I experienced similar anxiety when I first had to solve a maths equation or algebra in High School. The usual negative thought flashed by unhelpfully – like neon lights telling the world that “I can’t do this.”

I still auditioned for those mezzo roles but inevitably I would freak out and become so anxious in the audition. So instead of getting the Ingénue role or virtuous character – the love interest – I ended up with the alto leads or minor character roles, which were a lot of fun to perform!

As I matured, I told myself to not be afraid of those high notes and to let go of those unhelpful thought patterns. I also went to a couple of singing teachers, who helped me gain a flexible and strong voice, and improve my vocal range. I also became more confident in auditions and I could sing beyond high C!

Human beings have the remarkable ability to phonate – produce sound. Whether you believe your singing or speaking voice is unremarkable or not, it is your voice and it is remarkable!