Any audience can and will be intimidating, but when it's your friends and colleagues, that changes. I get more nervous for a class performance than I do on stage in front of hundreds of people.

My class this semester, "Choral Techniques", prepares me to become a choral teacher. As a music major, I've had to perform in front of my peers numerous times. That being said, every performance is just as terrifying as the last. Choral Tech has me actually teaching my peers as they pretend to be elementary, middle, or high school students. On that note, they are all incredibly sweet, supportive, and just there to help. When I screw up, they give me a reassuring look that speaks to their understanding. When I do well, they smile at me in gratification. I'm very lucky to have such incredible colleagues who spend their time supporting their fellow students.

I know they think this way because it's how I think when I'm in the audience. So why am I scared? If a random audience member hates your performance, it doesn't weigh much on you. If your friend thinks the same, it hurts. Presenting or performing means risking this possibility. It's a whole nother level of nerves and shakes.

But thinking like this is futile. Your colleagues UNDERSTAND! They get it more than anyone. Do not be scared of your peers.

A quick open letter to a guy at the back of my class, Jacob Silberstein. As a quick backstory, he and I don't talk much other than quick exchanges and "hellos" in the halls. He is an upperclassman that has been extremely kind to me, an unsuspecting freshman. That being said, dear Jacob, thank you for calming me down as much as you do. You don't realize it, but every time I'm getting nervous, I look at you. You're usually smiling, per usual, and I find it very comforting. So thank you for being a floodlight in the really long, dark tunnel that is teaching my peers.