A few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast on branding yourself done by my friend Megan Ihnen. In that, she asks you to identify characteristics that you see in yourself and that your audiences see in you (this could apply not only to performers, but to teachers/students or businesspeople/clients). And then think of how you would introduce yourself to people – and then how you’d like to be introduced by people.
The first person to speak at today’s conference was the Dean of the Arts and Humanities Division at Howard Community College, Valerie Lash. Although I am about to start my 6th year at HCC, I’ve never actually met Ms. Lash before. I have heard that she’s a force of nature, however, and apparently, this must be the case, because her introduction included these two words:
- I am Christine Thomas-O’Meally, and I am a singer who helps people find their voices, either by listening to what I’m singing or by teaching them to sing.
- This is Christine. She has made a difference in so many people’s lives with her singing and teaching.
How do you want to be described?