DEBUT!!

On Sunday, our performing group debuted for the first time at the Marin Arts Festival. We played that 4-drum song I'd been working so hard on, Madoka. I think it went well. It was fast and genki and I don't think anyone dropped any bachi. The best part was that we got to play on real drums, not those foam and carpet-covered practice drums we've been playing everything on lately. The stage was tiny, and we were all squished together--all five of us, and all 20 of the drums we use to play the song. But it was great.

One of my classmates who was watching us play said that I didn't look as genki as I did the day before at rehearsal. This perplexes me since I was kiai-ing and smiling and doing my on-stage best at bringing all of my energy into the performance. It's possible that I was nervous and that energy didn't show through. It's more likely that at rehearsal I messed up more, and when I mess up, I usually smile. But I have to say, I wasn't that nervous. I was more excited to be playing and making our debut. I think people think that since I'm so shy and quiet, that I have stage fright or stage shyness. I think the exact opposite is true. On stage, I'm the complete polar opposite of the mild-mannered Kathryn that everyone is used to. I scream. I jump. I make tons of noise. After the performance Janet said something like, "You just need another year of being on stage." Well, I totally trust her and I always appreciate what she has to say and I take her advice and everything, but I've been on stage for 4 years! I'm not nervous! I love to perform. But there must be something that isn't coming through. There's a video of us that I'm going to get a hold of and I'm gonna watch it to see what people are talking about. I guess until then, I'll have to work on projecting. Oh, and making my solo longer!