“Tzippy, pretend you’re in your bedroom and no one can hear you. Pretend I’m not even here and you’re singing to yourself”

W

hile the classroom was always intimidating to me throughout my years in school, including seminary, Hashem blessed me with many gifts that allowed me to express myself with a more creative backdrop. The stage.

I always loved performing. From the age of two, I danced and sang using mops as mics and stairs as my stage. My siblings and I would create mini concerts, and a fun Sunday activity included choreographing dance moves with my cousin.

There was one teacher in the ninth grade who lit a spark of confidence in me. I don’t know if she saw potential in me or just took pity on the shy student. She called me in to audition for a solo in the choir for the school’s annual Melaveh Malkah event. Automatically, I refused. That didn’t deter her. She kept asking me every day after class to reconsider.

“Please, just try out once and I promise I’ll stop asking you,” she begged.

So, I reluctantly gave in.