Dr. Nally the Psychiatrist.

I remember our one-on-one sessions with Dr. Nally. He always speaks to me as if I were one of his patients, and he is able to diagnose what exactly is preventing me from conducting to my fullest potential. Because of his guidance, as well as my student teaching experience, I have increased in my confidence in conducting.

Letting go of myself is perhaps the hardest thing to do as a musician, and as a conductor. I remember one of the things he mentioned was that conducting isn’t just from the hands and arms, but you need the whole body to engage with the music. I had to find out what I was afraid of, and really let my body breathe in the music.

Through being in his choir for a year and a quarter, I was able to experience the kind of engagement he is able to inspire in his choir. By observing him in class as well as taking the conducting course with him, I learned about the importance of letting your breath and body take you as you conduct. One small difference of a gesture will cause the sound of the choir to sound completely different.

During my student teaching, with the help of all my mentor teachers and supervisors, I learned to commit my body fully to the music. I saw, heard, and felt the difference.

The bottom line is that I’m thankful for those precious sessions with the psychiatrist. I will miss him and being in his choir a lot.