“Wherever that place is,” Chapman continued, “recognize this is a sacred place. This is where God has me right now on the big stage—may never be that big stage, but if God has entrusted something to me, let me be found faithful to use it for his glory.”
After sharing some of his journey, Chapman heard from six students, four of whom sang and played the piano and two of whom sang and played the guitar. As he gave feedback to each, Chapman praised the students for their “honesty,” “vulnerability,” and “beautiful lyrics.”
After the first student, Kailey Stier, performed, Chapman reflected that “the trauma” of hearing harsh criticism of his own work has been “been burned into me.” In his feedback to the students, he focused on affirming the students’ strengths and sharing his thoughts on the art form of music.
Stier, who is the daughter of Dare 2 Share founder Greg Stier, shared a song titled, “Tug of War,” with lyrics describing being “lost in the dark” and wanting to be “realigned” with God.
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“You really shared something about your journey,” Chapman told her, noting that various parts of Scripture, such as the Psalms, describe challenges in following God.
“Beautiful,” he said. “Thank you for this.”
To Macy Gillett, the second student who performed, Chapman said she sounded like Joni Mitchell and praised her for painting a picture of the Midwest. “I’m one who is convinced that God is just as glorified in really, really great art that isn’t necessarily a picture of Jesus in the manger,” he said.
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Chapman praised the voice of Addie Eloe, who performed her song, “Penny in a Parking Lot,” next to last. “There’s such a transparency in your voice,” he said, telling her she reminded him of his daughter-in-law, Jillian Edwards.
“Beautiful voice, really, really amazing,” he said, commenting that Eloe played the “kind of song” where everyone is “you know, sort of holding their breath.”
Speaking to ChurchLeaders after the class, Eloe said she expects to teach voice lessons after she graduates and will continue to write music. Regarding Chapman taking the time to do the master class, she said, “It was really cool…it’s an opportunity that we don’t get very often.” Eloe said her family was “going crazy…because they love Steven Curtis Chapman.”
“It was a great opportunity to…hear from somebody who’s been in the industry and kind of gain from his knowledge, and he just has really strong faith too,” said Eloe. “So it’s super cool.”
