Little voices flutter through the room, perfectly fitting for the tiny bodies in tights and leotards to whom they belong. A small group of girls occupy themselves in conversation, while one girl stands aside. Most people would think she’s lonely, but she’s found her reflection in the glass mirrors to be a delightful companion. At just three years of age, she’s discovered a tactic for coping with her shyness, whether she knows it or not. In a way, taking dance lessons was a sensible approach to tackling her timidity. The art requires no audible speaking, communicating to its audience through movement instead.

As the girl grew older, dance stayed with her, but music soon joined. She was introduced to piano, guitar, and violin. However, electing to enroll in orchestra would prove to be the most beneficial. In the comfort of string sections, she expressed herself. She learned another way to connect with people that did not require words.

Choir altered the connection. Lyrics combined with the music she loved and gave the girl a new voice, one that had been waiting to reveal itself.

Overcoming shyness has been a challenge for me since I was little, but performing has enabled me to develop into a more confident person. When I’m on stage, I can take on a persona, whether it be through music, acting, or dance, and know that the audience is only there to see what I present, not who I am. Though my shyness stems from insecurity, knowing that an audience is judging what I do is not daunting to me.

Through my experiences, I’ve learned how to put myself into the arts. Because of how much I invest in them, they’re not just hobbies for me. With each performance, I grow more comfortable with who I am because people see me in a different way. I don’t have to worry about fumbling over words, as I know exactly what to do when I’m in the spotlight.

Middle school was a difficult time for me because I often felt isolated. In a period when kids are learning how to define themselves and falling to peer pressure, I didn’t have many friends. Some days, I didn’t want to be at school, and the only thing that got me through the day was knowing I had a rehearsal. I felt a strong sense of camaraderie in orchestra, which continued in high school.

Choir was an activity in which I’d wanted to participate since middle school but never had the courage to join. I loved singing, but I was afraid to let other people hear me. Scheduling issues during my freshman year of high school provided a serendipitous opportunity for me to join choir, which has developed into a vital part of my life. It has given me confidence to explore new talents and discover a new passion. Singing became my favorite part of performing because I connect with people in a different way.

Shyness is usually thought to inhibit children, but I was fortunate enough to find an outlet to overcome it. Learning about having a stage presence took all the pressure off because I knew how to act and what was expected of me. Performing is the easiest way for me to communicate with other people. Singing, especially, gives me a voice. No matter what, music is a constant in my life. Without it, I would’ve stayed the timid girl who stayed on the sidelines.

Music is my comfort. Performing is my panacea.