Words of encouragement

Today: Me: "I could use some encouragement right now." So, I wrote this:

You are stronger than you know.  You have been to hell and back and you are still moving forward.  You have the ability to let it go, to let the past be the past and the future with all its unknowns be the future.  You are here, now, in this moment, and you can use this moment to do good, provide service, create something beautiful, and enrich a life, whether it is your own or someone else’s.  Share your gifts with the world around you and let the world within you grow.    

I think I'm going to read it about ten thousand times.

Checking In

I looked at my cute kitty calendar the other day and a date caught my eye. February 29th. 2012 may be a leap year, but I haven't been doing much leaping. I kept looking inside to see why this was, but each time I confronted a void. This is so unlike me. I am usually propelled forward (or yanked along) by some huge life goal, but now there's just nothing, and it's not a negative nothing...just nothing. To quote Jack Skellington, "What is this?!"

Then, yesterday, the unthinkable happened. I went to work and accidentally left my iPhone (a.k.a. miracle device that keeps Fionna from going insane while doing hours upon hours of mundane housekeeping tasks) at home. To intensify the experience, the family I work for was out for the day. Five hours of silent contemplation later, I had some of the answers I had been looking for.

So, why have I been surfing the channels instead of the audition listings? I think I simply want an easy life. I do so much and push myself so hard to be perfect that I often daydream about what it would be like to relax on the couch with a cup of coffee. "Relax." What does that word even mean? I get antsy just thinking about it. The only time I "relax" is when I'm too sick or tired to move. Hmmm...having just reread that last statement, I am seeing a problem here.

Resting, both physically and mentally, is essential if we want to achieve optimum performance in this thing called life. We need to tune up our cars and defrag our hard drives periodically. The same goes for us. The problem is, when we have downtime, we don't usually rest. Just take the typical American family vacation, for example. Who has time to recharge when the kids are screaming in the backseat and you are fighting with your husband over whether or not you're lost. On my day off from housekeeping, I usually find myself cleaning my own house top to bottom. This has to end. I need rest, and, more importantly, I need not feel bad about allowing myself to have it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make some coffee.

Epiphany

"Aww man! Not again!"

That's what I said to myself the other day, when my brain spontaneously materialized the answer to my current life-altering question: whether or not to go back to school to study music ed. and become a teacher. Several weeks ago I left my teacher's studio convinced that this was the right path, but something was making me hesitate to commit to the idea. Logically, it seemed the best option. At the end of 2-3 years I would have a teaching credential and possibly a masters in music, not to mention a defined career path. I would have marketable skills in a specialized area, and job searches would be simple because I would know exactly what I was looking for. I would be directly using my bachelor's degree to earn my living, which would provide me with peace of mind that borrowing all that money was the right decision. And, hopefully, I would love my job.

So, going back to school would obviously be the right decision...right?

No matter how many times I mulled over the idea, I could not get myself to mentally commit. Something deep in my gut would tighten. I would roll my eyes and say to myself, "Oh brother. Am I really going to do this? Really?" And then the answer trickled into my ear from some ethereal place above. "NOPE." And then I laughed, because I couldn't believe it had happened again. When this all started, I was experiencing some minor health problems which, combined with my rigorous rehearsal schedule for South Pacific and my six-day-a-week housekeeper job, sent me into freak-out mode. I was exasperated at not having health insurance and having to work at this physical labor job when I was so run down, and to make matters worse we were in deep financial trouble because Matt's financial aid check was a month late. It's clear to me now that all these things combined drove me into depression. I was going down, and I saw no positive future to bring me back up. Anxiety overwhelmed me and I felt I had to make a drastic change - one that would give me a perfectly clear vision of a future where carrying a heavy cleaning bucket up and down flights of stairs was not in the cards. I wanted health insurance. I wanted to be taken care of. I didn't want my life to be dedicated to musical theatre, because that's just a hobby if you don't get paid to do it. And believe me, I did not intend to pay thousands of dollars to the CSU to learn a hobby. Anyway, all of this built up inside me and led me to the idea of going back to school to become a teacher, even though what I really want to do is perform. I laughed when the answer came, because this exact thing had happened to me before. When I wanted to switch my music major emphasis from performance to liberal so that I could have time to take English classes and perhaps become an English teacher (for when I inevitably failed to earn a living as a singer), my advisor stopped me with one phrase. "Don't give up on your love," she said, referring to my lifelong love of singing. She was right. Singing in front of an audience, however scary, is the ultimate be-all end-all thing to me. It's all I want to do. I'm not going back to school, because that would mean a total shift of focus. I would have to stop auditioning for shows and put all my energy into learning how to teach and getting over my fear of failing at doing something I've never tried. The epiphany I had the other day was that I am already doing EXACTLY what I want to do: auditioning for musicals, continuing to study singing, and being free to do whatever I want with my off-the-clock hours. My logical brain was trying to talk me out of it again because a singer's career is often very unstable, and I am always seeking stability in life because I grew up in an unstable environment.

"BINGO. There's your answer," my brain said, once I had been to the clinic to resolve my medical issues and we had received Matt's financial aid check, "Change nothing. You are already doing what you want to do. Yes, some things suck, but some things are always going to suck. You're doing fine! It takes time to achieve greatness in any area of life, so be patient. Good things will happen, but they won't happen if you give up." So, that happened, and I laughed and smiled, and the next day I was bouncing off the walls with excitement and singing out loud. I have learned a lot about myself through this experience. I have two brains, sort of: my anxious brain and my normal Fionna brain. Normal Fionna brain likes to be calm and make rational decisions, but anxious brain likes to apply logic to make decisions quickly and thus be rid of the anxiety of brooding over difficult situations. I know now that to get the results I want, I need to provide time and space for anxious brain to quietly leave, so that normal Fionna brain can make decisions rationally and calmly. After all of this, I am relieved and excited. I don't know what's going to happen in the future, and for the first time, I kinda like that.

Taking a Big Leap

"What's Holding You Back?"

That's the caption on this month's issue of Oprah magazine. It's been sitting on my coffee table for a week now, but the message didn't hit home for me until last night, when I got home from an hour long discussion with my voice teacher. I've been floating about with no plan for a while now, and I am a person who finds security in planning. I've asked myself questions and reached out to others for advice. My future is finally becoming more clear, but achieving my goals is going to take patience and commitment. More importantly, I am going to have to adopt a new view of myself and conquer fears I have had for over a decade. What I am talking about is becoming a music teacher: the very goal I had when I graduated high school almost ten years ago. What held me back? A number of things. Ironically, the knowledge that teachers "don't make any money" was my excuse back then. Now, I'm breaking my back as a housekeeper, so the idea of becoming a music teacher seems almost glamorous. Looking back, the real reason I shied away from the profession was a fear of failure. Also, when it comes to teaching, I realize I have formed my opinions solely on the basis of negative stories I heard from friends and family. For example, I remember my dad talking of being a high school substitute teacher and getting his lunch stolen off his desk. It also doesn't help that I am the wife of a music teacher, so I hear all of his grumblings about not being listened to and not getting paid enough. My own limited experiences have been profoundly rewarding, and I know now that putting my energy into learning the skills I need to become a better teacher will lead me to where I want to be. Moreover, stepping into the role of teacher will provide me an important opportunity to learn to trust and value myself and to recognize that I truly do have something to give. Now for the hard part: taking the leap - biting the bullet of stress and debt and time by going back to school for music education classes, better piano skills, and a teaching credential. The big question in my mind right now: can I do it? Schools all over California are impacted and the odds of getting into a program are slim. Also, Matt is still in school for two more years and our financial state is the worst it has ever been. Still, I have to try. I see music teaching positions advertised on Craigslist all the time but I lack the necessary skills and credentials. So, here goes nothin'.

A new dream...

Life is so very, very strange.

Last week, I found myself telling my friend that, at the moment, I had no desire to do anything with singing. I have been keeping myself busy with work and homemaking, which leaves me physically exhausted at the end of the day. I should have realized I was avoiding something big- especially when I found myself going to buy a bed frame from IKEA at 7 PM on a Sunday night. I mean, now I have a bed frame, but did I really have to do it right then, during the last few hours of my day off? My apartment is cleaner and better organized than it has ever been, and this is a direct result of my need to keep moving, lest I actually stop to think and WHAT'S THIS? Sinking feeling in pit of stomach? Hmmm...better vacuum. In any case, today I want to thank the Universe for giving me a hand in the form of my employer asking about singing lessons for her daughter. The incredible rush I felt at hearing the first words of the unexpected inquiry clued me in to something I have known for a long time: I actually do want to teach. The truly strange thing was that just the night before, I found myself sitting around, flipping through music books, turning the TV on and off, totally bored out of my mind, thinking "Something big is missing from my life." DING! There it is. I want to be a voice teacher. Teaching singing lessons will allow me to use my degree in a very direct way to make money doing what I love. So, why has it been almost a year without me pursuing this dream? I think it comes down to me telling myself "I can't" over and over and over. I have been telling myself I can't teach singing because I can't play the piano very well, because I have only been singing for four years, because I have next to no teaching experience, because I am just no good and why on earth would anybody want to learn anything from a sucky lady like me? Well, I have a thing or two to say in response to those imaginary people's comments. First of all, Hello! I have a degree in vocal performance. Secondly, despite my small number of years singing, I have a wide range of performance experience under my belt, including singing in a Greek theatre IN GREECE. Also, it is important to bring to mind how little I knew about singing and performing when I began four years ago. I had no idea how to use my head voice at all and didn't even have a full octave range! Now, I can sing over two octaves. And as for me being a "no good, sucky lady?" Well, for once in my life, I truly believe that I am worth something. I am GOOD, and I am good at things, one of which is singing. That's not to say I couldn't improve in a few areas - we all have room for improvement. After all, what would life be if we reached perfection in our mid twenties? Anyhow, that is my point. I am not done learning. I am not done challenging myself, or dreaming, or making goals for myself. If learning to play the piano is the only thing stopping me from becoming a voice teacher, it is clear what I must do. Oh boy, I am really going to say this...I will learn to play the piano. Notice I didn't say "I need to" or "I should really." No, I am going to do this, and it is going to be hard work, but I know it will be worth it. Now, to find a piano teacher!

You have to look for your life...

Sometimes it's hard to look at yourself for who you really are. It has been my goal as of late to try to be honest with myself about everything. Sometimes it's easy, "Yes, I really DO want pizza tonight!" but when it comes to what really matters, it's hard. So hard, in fact, that I do everything possible, usually without realizing it, to avoid the matter at hand, which is usually something I know I have to change about my life but that I believe will upset others. It's quite dramatic, the way this plays out in my head. There is always a point where whatever reluctant truth that has been bouncing around in there bursts out suddenly, painting my life a shocking shade of orange (I hate orange). Nevertheless, the truth must come out, and I am plagued for at least a week with the queasy feeling of relief one has after vomiting. This happened to me recently, when I realized I needed to leave the highly competitive and serious choir I was in. It was a wonderful group and a great experience, but I had been using the choir's never-ending list of difficult rehearsal material as an excuse to procrastinate on pursuing my real dreams. So, I left, and I still feel mixed emotions about it, partially because I miss the people I sang with, and partially because I do not know what's next for me in terms of singing. I put out an ad on craigslist for a songwriting partner, but as soon as responses began coming in, I realized I am not ready to expose my music-filled heart to a perfect stranger. The business of writing songs is not supposed to be so touchy-feely, but I need an emotional outlet. Plus, I frequently make songs out of my most extreme emotional situations. I have done this since I was little. When I was four or five and at my first slumber party, the only way I got through the night in an eerily quiet and dark house was by singing a little song to myself about how much my Mommy loved me and that I would be back at home with her soon. Nowadays, my songs might go something like "Aaaaaaaeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiii- don't waaaaaaaaaant to do the disheeeeeeeeeehhhhhz!" It's amazing how much anguish can come from having to do household chores. Anyhow, this is me. Supporting a husband as he gets his masters, taking care of two cat "children," and keeping up on the dishes.

Autumn

It has been a long while since I last posted, and for good reason, because I have been busy! In the last two months, I have attempted to join a band, performed in my first concert with The Choral Project, made a recording at Skywalker Sound, prepared for and recorded at least 10 holiday songs for a CD, and begun fundraising for The Choral Project's trip to Spain next year, all while hunting down and finally catching some of those..." job" things. Two, to be exact. I've had a couple of 50+ hour weeks in a row, so naturally I came down with a bad cold. My immune system always seems to fail me when I'm on a roll. In any case, I am enjoying being employed. Though I am working jobs I could have gotten without a degree (donut shop employee and housekeeper), I am thankful for what I have and I actually enjoy what I do. For one, both jobs are very physically demanding, so I get a workout at work. Also, I work for and with great people - seriously, among the nicest and down-to-earth I have met - and it just feels good to be around them. I am getting better at focusing on the present, rather than obsessing about the future or mulling over the past. I don't really know where my life is headed. For now, I am allowing myself to just "be."

Play me, I'm yours...

So there's this artist, Luke Jerram, who's been touring around the world with his decorated pianos since 2008. Right now, there are 19 pianos scattered around downtown San Jose. They all have the phrase, "Play me, I'm yours" written on them, and there's a website:
http://www.streetpianos.com/sanjose2010/, which serves as a place people can upload photos and video documenting their street piano-playing experience. Last night the alto section of The Choral Project (of which I am a member) held a sectional rehearsal at one of these outdoor pianos. Throughout the course of the evening, we met many interesting people. First, a young woman walked up and joined us in singing a choral piece, saying she had sung it previously in a local choir. Then, some of the men from The Choral Project happened to be walking down the street and joined us on "Irish Blessing." Things really started to get out of control (in a good way!) when two African American men started rocking out to our spiritual, "Let Me Fly." "That's one heck of a piano player!" one of them said. Our section leader/ accompanist led us in singing happy birthday to our videographer (yes, this is on video somewhere out there!) and some blues improv, which ended in me making up lyrics that ended like this: "It's my birthday, I'm gonna shout it real loud/ Yes, it's my birthday, and I'm freakin' proud!" Passersby who saw us wailing like that must have assumed we were drunk. The most magical part of the night happened when we were about to leave: A man dressed in dirty clothes came up to us and asked if any of us played piano. Before we knew it, we were learning the lyrics to his own composition! What did I learn? The world can often seem like a cold and lonely place, especially when people pass eachother on the street without saying hello. I am guilty of this: I am a woman in a strange city and I don't want to get killed. At the same time, "Play me I'm yours" has taught me that music lovers are everywhere, and all we need is something in common - like our love for music - to help us connect.

Getting in is the first step...

On Monday I had a callback audition for The Choral Project, a San Jose based "theatre choir" that performs all sorts of rep, from classical to musical theatre. To join the group, I first had to set up a private audition with Daniel Hughes, the artistic director. First, I sang a solo piece I had prepared, and then he had me sight read (ugh!) and sing various scales. There are fewer altos in the world than sopranos, so I had the upper hand going in, and was told I would get a call back no matter how I did on the sight reading (not terribly well!). The callback was at the first full rehearsal of the season. I had a week to learn a piece, and he used this piece to voice-match the singers in each section. After three hours of rehearsal, he let the new members know their status. Luckily, Daniel was pleased with the blend of voices in my section and accepted me into the group! Now, the hard work begins. We have many pieces involving complex harmonies and different languages to learn, a concert coming up in only six weeks, and a trip to a vocal competition in Spain to raise money for. I also have to come up with money for dues and my concert attire, which, rumor has it, I have to have custom made! Check out The Choral Project on youtube.com!

Music majors: keeping music in our lives after graduation.

I saw a video on yahoo.com the other day that showed Condoleeza Rice playing classical piano. At first I was surprized, but it helped remind me that we are capable of taking on many different responsibilities while keeping the music going. We live in a competitive world, and circumstances have a way of mapping out our lives. Who knows? We might be one of the lucky ones who, like one popular R&B singer who's name escapes me, gets noticed while singing to herself at a gas station and suddenly has a recording career. The point is, anything can happen, and I am a firm believer that great things can happen if one is open to them happening. For example, if an opportunity comes along and one isn't prepared (or simply lacks the courage to try), that's one more chance down the drain. At the same time, we can't sit daydreaming about our ideal future 24-7. We have bills to pay, people to love and lives to live. I must get a job now, music industry or not, but that doesn't mean I am no longer an artist and a singer. It is up to all of us to determine what role music has in our lives, and to give it enough energy to allow it to fill that role. For me, singing is the ultimate form of self-expression, and performing is the greatest high because it allows me to express all of the emotions I have learned to supress. I have recently started writing my own songs, and I have found, with great joy, that my own songs are my favorites, because I was able to express a personal emotion, through the combination of words and music, in a way clearer than with words alone. You never have to give up on your dreams. Circumstances may change, but there is always a way to keep moving forward with your art, a little at a time. So keep going! Music may not pay the bills, but it may sustain you in some other way.

Still searching...

Thirty days have passed, and I am still searching for that "day job." Things are not looking good. I have worked for a month at a temp catering job, and I was depressed to learn that I have only made about $300 in that time (I only work 1-3 days per week).

On a lighter note, I wrote my first complete song last night (well, the first one that I'm proud to say I have written!). I haven't written it out in notation or anything - just chords, melody and lyrics. I'll keep working on it and hopefully put together a youtube video soon.

Hello from the other side!

There have always been times in my life when I feel I'm not equipped to overcome the challenges I face, but I continue to prove myself wrong. In the ten or so days since my last post, I feel I have transformed myself by reaching out to others. It seems I am constantly learning this lesson: that keeping my feelings and fears inside doesn't solve anything, and that communicating openly can only help the situation at hand. A visit from a college friend only reminded me of how much I missed the safety and comfort of my college life, when I was surrounded by music majors who all shared my dreams. My job search dragged on, and I thought things couldn't get much worse. Then, a coworker at my temp job told me the office building she worked in during the day burned to the ground just hours before our shift that night! It's strange that no matter how bad things seem, we are always better off than we think we are.

For whatever reason, things have been getting better ever since that night. I have started to open my eyes to the world around me, and it looks like everyone is doing their best to get along, despite the circumstances. There are numerous challenges to face every day, and we have to be willing to look them in the eye if we want to go places. I finally contacted a local guitar teacher and had my first lesson. He informed me that there are lots of venues to perform in my area, which is wonderful and terrifying! It means if I dedicate myself to learning what I want to learn, I could be out there with the rest of them, living my dream of being a singer/songwriter. I'm also hoping to audition for a local theatre choir that performs works from a variety of musical genres. Things are falling into place, but it takes time, and I'm still learning how to be patient.

After the move...

Moving is done. Boxes are unpacked. It hasn't yet been a week, but nearly everything is in its place. I wish I felt that way - that everything was neat and organized - but in my mind, it's total chaos. I don't feel settled or connected to anything here. Even though I know I'll be here for at least three years, I feel like it's temporary, as if we were only living here for a month. I even got a temporary job. I think the hardest part is knowing that the only thing keeping me from connecting with the city I live in and the people in it is me. All I have to do is get out there, right? Start looking for shows to audition for. Start making inquiries about teachers to study with. It's harder than it looks. No one wants to feel pain, but that's just what I have to do in order to get what I want. I have to face my fear of rejection, and my overall fear of new anything, if I want to be part of the world I caught a glimpse of while in college. I must sing. I feel as though a part of me is dying every second that I don't.

Time to brag about my amazing husband...

I have known my husband since junior high school, and in all of those years I had never heard him sing "for real." You see, he's got a great sense of humor and he's shy, so every time I would ask him to sing something for me, he would use this cartoony voice. I knew he had a great voice inside of him - one full of sincerity and emotion - but I think he was too shy about expressing himself, and he wouldn't let me hear it. On Saturday night, years of wondering ended. My beautiful husband performed, singing, in a BAND. Granted, it was just for a small fundraising event, but still! Not only that, but their first song had a country twang to it, and country is my favorite genre. It is highly ironic that he got the chance to do this before I did. What he got to do that night is exactly what I want to do. Watching him up there, I was totally in awe of what he was able to accomplish, being an untrained singer who had certainly never sung for an audience before. However, I knew he would pull it off all along. He's amazingly talented. I wasn't jealous at all.

Bad timing...

I am moving in 5 days, to a much bigger city than I have ever lived in before! It's exciting, nerve-wracking, all of the above. Now that I know when and where I am moving, I have been applying for jobs. What a joy. I am really getting tired of taking those personality tests - you know, the ones that involve at least 45 minutes of multiple choice questions like, "'I am a robot.' Check one answer: strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree..." The questions are often poorly worded, so that I am not sure which answer to choose. I truly feel I would have greater success of making a good first impression if I spoke to a human being, which is what I will have to do if none of these online applications yield any prospects. It is extremely difficult to accurately represent oneself when one is limited to multiple choice answers.

Yesterday, I began researching arts organizations and theaters in my area, only to find out that I missed auditions for a paid opera chorus position by exactly one week. I really should relax though: I've only been actively looking for jobs in my new city for a few days. Plus, it's the weekend, and most employers probably won't get back to me until Monday at the earliest. So, it's back to sorting, organizing, and packing for the big move. 5 days!

Nothing new...

There's not much new to update right now, as I am in the process of moving. I've pretty much been putting everything on hold while I look for housing and a job. My goal is to find a guitar teacher as soon as I find a job in my new city. I think the whole singer-songwriter thing will start to fall into place once I can play an accompanying instrument. I really want to be able to do it all myself. That way, I will have total creative freedom.

Things are falling into place...

Yesterday, after I had exhausted my attention span for job searching and apartment hunting, I did something unexpected. I practiced piano, of all things, for more than 10 minutes. For those who do not know me, this is an achievement.

If any of you have never attempted to play the piano, I will be the first to let you know that it is ridiculously difficult. I believe one must be a little masochistic to have the patience to get through the extreme frustration I feel each time I sit down at the instrument. Singing is different. Singing is instantly gratifying, even when you don't know what you're doing. You can feel the vibrations of your voice flowing through your body, and you know that you, personally, are making the sound happen. I feel this power of direct connection with wind instruments, too. With piano, it's different. All I have to do to make a sound is press a key, and until chords and rhythms can be smoothly interwoven to make a piece, the sound is foreign - detached. I find myself staring down at the keys, thinking "Oh GOD, where is 'A'?" It's all a black and white blur.

Something amazing happened yesterday, though. I started improvising. Instead of reading the music note for note, I began to play by ear, skipping over difficult chords if I couldn't decipher them in time, and something that sounded like a song began to take shape. It gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, if I practice every day, I will be able to learn to accompany myself. Say, at a small concert for my friends, on my next birthday, perhaps...

Guitar, now that's another story.

The definition of success...

Well, I have already broken my promise to myself to write every day. Can you believe it? My summer vacation has turned out, so far, to be busier than my last semester of college!

My most recent inner struggle is this: how does one find a way to feel good about spending lots and lots of money on a degree that appears to be useless in the current job market? I am in a position where I must find a job - any job - immediately, without delay, and I am sickened to think that I will probably be applying first to jobs that don't even require a high school diploma. Oh well, right? It's just money. Try to enjoy your life. That's what I tell myself, anyway.

I truly believe things happen for a reason. Maybe fate is forcing me to find a "stupid day job" now so that I will feel boxed in, and thus, find a creative way to be free. And to sing.

Day 4: Will the wonders never cease?

So...

My husband got into grad school today. He is going to get his masters in music education. What does this mean? Well, for me, it means I will be moving, and I will need to get to know a new community of musicians. This is a big change, and I have a lot to think about. Oh well. At least now I know where I should be looking for a job.

Day 3: Due to unforseen circumstances...

We never really know what's coming, do we? This morning, I awoke, planning to practice for my upcoming audition, only to get an e-mail later in the day saying the auditions had been cancelled. At least I have a free Saturday coming up.

I still need to practice, though. My voice teacher advised me to sing every day, even if it's only for ten minutes. This will help me keep my technique in place. It's so easy for old habits to creep back in unnoticed. I have the most trouble keeping my speaking voice supported. Too often, I find myself wondering, "Why is my voice so tired? I've only been talking to my mom for 20 minutes!" Then I realize, it's because my speaking voice, before I began taking voice lessons, was very low and, too often, forced, and those old habits are very deeply ingrained. In a word, my "old" speaking voice could have been described as "inefficient." I've spent the past three years working week after week to replace bad habits with good ones, but I must still remind myself daily how to talk and how to sing. There really is a "best" way to do these things, in terms of efficiency, but the wonderful thing about the human voice is that there are no two exactly alike. Even after peeling away all the "bad" layers: poor posture, poor breath support, tension, etc., you will still end up with a uniquely beautiful voice in the end, and that's comforting to me. There was a time when I thought all classically trained singers' voices sounded alike, and that untrained voices could carry emotion much better because they were so raw - so human. I was wrong, both about the classically trained singers and about the voices I viewed as untrained. In my experience, it is actually quite difficult to sing pop music well, so either these "untrained" singers actually do work hard to perfect their technique, or there is some major editing going on.