(Hi, Allan, good to *see* you. Don't you dare brainwash yourself, you're great just being you. ;->)

Many people on this forum have been performing longer than I have, but I can say in my experience, the more I have taken the opportunity to sing in public, the less nervous I have become in performing. If it helps to organize a weekly sing along with friends and family and strangers, that can give you more time singing to an audience. One opera performer story that was told to me is that feeling like throwing up can be focussed on to open the throat, lift those muscles in there, and can be turned to an advantage. (!) One conductor told a friend of mine, If it feels like you are going to throw up, GOOD, then hold that open position. Deep breathing before going on helps to calm panic.

alice