Today I have a guest post from Leah Hadder from SASH: Pageant Consulting. She is sharing How to Choose the Right Pageant Coach. I hope you find this informative and encouraging. Enjoy!
My knees were locked. My heart raced. I just knew my competition number would be called at any moment. The emcee began announcing the Top Ten finalists for the night. It seemed like eternity in that short amount of time as he called out the first through fourth finalist numbers. I waited patiently. I continuously watched finalists run past me to get on stage. The fifth through seventh finalist numbers were then announced. After the eighth through tenth numbers were called without mine included, I cried. Why not me? I failed to “make the cut.”
My first pageant experience was obviously not the most successful one. I was so focused on winning that I neglected adequately preparing for the pageant. I did not understand that I had not mastered simple performance tips such as: maintain eye contact with the judges or wait until the dismissal cue before walking off stage. What could I have done instead of “winging it” to the best of my ability? Hire a coach!
Hiring the right pageant coach can be a tremendous blessing! What could better prepare you for competition than working with someone who can teach you proper ways of modeling and poise, while instructing effective communication skills? Take the chance to learn how to “shine” in all phases of competition. Get a coach. You can make it happen.
There are numerous pageant coaches around the United States. How does a contestant pick the right one? Here are some personal characteristics to think about when choosing the right pageant coach for you. Find a coach who:
- Believes in you.
- Has a credible coaching history.
- Is familiar with the pageant system in which you would like to participate.
- Has competition experience or knows the different aspects of competition.
- Inspires you to achieve greatness, on and off the stage!
I have competed for years. I won many titles but not without some type of suitable coaching.
When I was a younger contestant, I was so scared to ask for help. I wanted to perform anything and everything at the top level. I wanted to perform at 100%, no questions asked. To me (a younger me), it seemed like asking for advice, coaching, or mentorship was only for people who were weaker. They could not figure things out on their own. Getting coached was only for “losers.”
I was wrong. I was very wrong! Even Olympian athletes have trainers. I’ve seen some of the greatest singers on television discuss how producers worked with them to achieve the best musical sounds for their albums. Many writers work with editors at publishing companies to review their books for grammatical usage and plot development. State titleholders are sometimes awarded with a staff coaching package to prepare for the national pageant…could you imagine working with a coach for every phase of competition?!
Believe me, being critiqued was not always a pleasant experience, but having a coach is what enabled me to perform better, have higher self-esteem, and win those coveted titles!
Leave a Reply