Then I apply to my teaching the same technique that I would have the student apply to his singing. If I reach that point of creative balance and tension, I am beyond the dilemma of being attentive to the student while not being intrusive. I am beyond it because I am teaching by example. The development of technical skill leading to the point where the singer can flip into unselfconsciousness involves perfecting the basics. It includes developing grounded support, tone, pure vowels, and free articulation.
Students perform successfully at different levels of technical prowess.
You need encouragement, grace, and the guts to risk yourself emotionally. You need a modicum of technique. Robert Shaw reminds us that in music we strive for perfection knowing we fall short. I learned in college that mathematical models are either consistent and incomplete, or complete and inconsistent. I choose as a singer and teacher to strive for completeness, recognizing inconsistency as part of being human and not an obstacle to growth.