I Had No Choice But To Succeed

Last night was magic. Pure magic.

I was honored to participate in the 3rd Annual Fundraising Gala for A Free Bird, an amazing organization that uses the arts to help pediatric cancer patients heal.

I accompanied, professional singers, a broadway actor and one of the pediatric cancer patients herself, who is only 8 years old, walks with a cane as a result of her cancer battle, but has a voice of gold, sparkling eyes and an indomitable spirit and who relishes being in front of an audience.

I also accompanied the soon to be Broadway Star of Frozen, the Musical, which is opening up in NYC this February. Put him in front of an audience, and it's like someone turned on a switch - allowing his infectious energy to fill the room, not to mention his incredible voice, presence and joy that comes through his performances.

It is now less than a week away from the Paris Piano competition that I'm participating in. For the past 3 weeks, I have intentionally put myself on the chopping block to perfect my program and confront my intense struggle with Stage Fright. This included performing at a Master Class in NYC in front of professional pianists and students, scrutinizing every note and move I made, two run throughs of my competition program in front of friends and family and last night's gala, where in addition to accompanying other artists, I played some solo pieces (which I'll be playing in the preliminary round.)

Now, I will admit, that the more prepared I am, the easier this is becoming. But still, right before I my solo was about to start, I felt the familiar butterflies in my stomach, the gnawing performance gremlins that say things to me like:

"Well, what if I forget all my notes?"

"What if I totally mess up?"

"Wait, how does the 3rd line go again in the Rachmaninoff?"

And then I just stopped the tape and looked at the little girl who had just taken down the house with her performance. I looked at the Broadway star, who was still beaming from his moment in the sun. And I felt the energy in the room and looked around and remembered - this. is. not. about. ME. It's about a cause. It's about the children. It's about helping others and bring joy and strength to them.

It was being in the presence of true pros who gave it all they had - so I had no choice but to fall in line and give it my all. And so I took the plunge and did just that.

And I have to say, what an honor and blessing it was.

And a true success all around!

XOXOXOX

Vivienne