Interpretation Is the Tip of the Iceberg: Evidence of Growth
“No one covered the song — they gave their own interpretation.”
That single remark at our monthly jam wasn’t just a compliment. It was a revelation. Every singer brought something unmistakably their own. No mimicry. No posturing. Just presence. Just truth.
For me, it was a highlight of my career — because it captured what artistry really is: not imitation, but interpretation. And interpretation is the tip of the iceberg, the visible evidence of deeper growth beneath the surface.
The Myth of Limits
A new student recently suggested that adults inevitably plateau in their singing. I had to gently disagree. Voices don’t stop developing because of age — they stall when singers stop learning. Growth isn’t bound by the calendar. It’s bound by mindset.
My own coach once said he never had someone walk into his studio who couldn’t improve. I’ve found that to be true — and not just for vocal technique, but for artistry itself. Progress is always possible for those willing to risk, work, and steward their craft.
Interpretation Over Imitation
Artistry begins when we stop copying and start interpreting. When a singer asks, What does this lyric mean to me? What truth do I bring to this moment? — that’s when the music becomes alive.
Too often, singers settle for:
• Copying another voice instead of discovering their own.
• Treating a paid gig as the finish line instead of the starting point.
• Recycling safe repertoire instead of stretching into new emotional and vocal territory.
These choices may bring short-term comfort, but they cap growth. The greater tragedy isn’t failure — it’s settling for less than what artistry could become.
Eternal Students
My own voice is still evolving. Like many coaches, I consider myself a lifelong learner — always refining, always discovering. Luciano Pavarotti once recalled meeting Beniamino Gigli at age 12. Gigli told him that even at 57, he still vocalized daily. That moment shaped Pavarotti’s path — and it resonates with me today. True growth continues as long as we choose it.
Amateur and Professional
The word amateur comes from the Latin amator — “one who loves.” By that definition, some amateurs, driven by love, surpass professionals who’ve stopped learning. And some professionals, driven by discipline, embody both love and stewardship at the highest levels.
The distinction isn’t about paycheck. It’s about passion and persistence.
Proof in Performance
Consider Tom Jones. I recently watched him reprise a song alongside a younger artist. The contrast was striking. Decades of experience gave Jones nuance, depth, and expressive power that eclipsed sheer energy.
Or Tony Bennett, who sang until nearly ninety, attributing his longevity to daily bel canto exercises. His endurance wasn’t luck. It was discipline, stewardship, and love.
Other examples abound:
• Placido Domingo, still performing into his seventies.
• Mavis Staples, whose voice carries more grit and soul with each passing year.
• Johnny Cash, whose later recordings distilled raw truth into every phrase.
These artists remind us: growth is not about age. It’s about commitment.
The Refrain
Artistry doesn’t plateau. It evolves.
Voices don’t inevitably decline — they deepen when trained, stewarded, and honored.
The calendar may turn, but the song grows richer, fuller, more authentic.
Interpretation is the tip of the iceberg — beneath it lies the unseen discipline, love, and growth that sustain artistry for a lifetime.
And the true measure of artistry isn’t whether one is paid — it’s whether one loves and gives.
Invitation
If you’re ready to move beyond “covering songs” into authentic interpretation — or if you’re an adult singer who wants to break free from low expectations and discover how your artistry can evolve — I invite you to join our studio.
Here, we don’t chase limits. We cultivate growth.
We don’t settle for imitation. We steward truth.
Together, we’ll shape a voice that doesn’t just sing — it connects.
Discover Your Voice… Live Your Dream
RiverSong Reflections
~Patrick Cunningham