100% of you answered correctly that the EYES/EYEBROWS are the body part most responsible for showing emotion during performance. Although our tendency is to move our bodies and especially our hands and arms, the fact is that when an audience sees us, the very first thing they look at to try to connect with us are our eyes.
It is vitally important that an audience connect with the musician. It doesn't matter what kind of incredible singer it is, if the person is "offensive" to the eye, most audiences will immediately disqualify that talent. First impressions are lasting - even if it is during a 3 minute song. Here are some tips to help you maximize the impact of your eye contact while singing:
1. Make sure you are "looking with intention."
Have specific places mapped out in your mind's eye, so that you natural eye will follow and seem to graze the audience smoothly and effortlessly. Neither do you want your eyes to randomly dart from one unintentional place to another, nor do you want to stare down a person or 2 which might make them feel threatened or uncomfortable.
2. Be "relevant" to your song.
Choose eye movements that have to do directly with your lyrics. Obviously, if there is a reference to "heaven," you do not want to be looking at the ground. Also remember that if there are repetitive lyrics, this DOES NOT mean you have to repeat your eye movements. A bit a change can go a long way. Having said that, overdoing it can cause a lot of discomfort - so keep a reign on those expressions as not to be over-expressive or "clown-like."
3. Vary your eye movement.
It is important to be intentional and relevant, but also a bit spontaneous in your gaze. Many a voice student has been taught to "look at a window" or "look over the crowd" in order to avoid being nervous by looking into the audience's eyes. But your audience can tell if you look like a robot and are not connecting. Make sure you vary from place to place.
4. Be careful about closing your eyes.
There are some introspective songs which might call for a bit of eye closure as to emphasize important lyrics, but if the singer constantly has their eyes closed, the audience can feel excluded from the musical experience and again disqualify the talent.
5. Practice.
The best thing to help yourself in facial expression is to practice in a mirror at home. Practice at various times during each month to remind yourself of what you are capable of doing with your face - what looks appropriate, what does not, what is attention-catching or what is boring. Work on specific songs - think through the lyrics and practice facial expressions that accompany them. The more you practice using your facial muscles (especially around the eyebrows), the more you will be able to do. You might even surprise yourself at how expressive you can be!
