STM: You said "My voice almost goes back inside me when I sing in front of others and feels tied in my throat"

I am currently a student in a Krav Maga/Muay Thai kickboxing class, which involves some pretty hard-core self defense training. While training, the instructors offer lots of different sayings to improve motivation, give focus, and perspective on whatever skill is being practiced. One such saying is this: "You do not rise to the level of your expectations, you fall to the level of your training." From my perspective, this saying serves to warn against overconfidence, but encourage development. Your quote brought this saying to mind

I am also a certified elementary music teacher. I struggle every day to try and help young children find their singing voices. I find that children have the advantage in learning because they are not afraid to fail. Failure is an essential part of learning.

So I'm rambling. I'll wrap it up. Again, you said: "My voice almost goes back inside me when I sing in front of others and feels tied in my throat". You are not broken, you are falling to the level of your training. This is normal, natural, and a good thing. Unlike self-defense situations, it is ok to fail :)    The fact that you are trying to overcome your problems/fears/whatever and become a singer speaks volumes about your drive.

You are on the path. Don't stop now. Practice, listen, train, move, listen to all the advice on this forum. You are not different, sick, or disabled. You are just at a different place in your musical training. Don't give up. You're doing it.

/ramble

Al