"Stealing" Musicality

One of my best teachers, an acting coach who teaches at the University of Houston, had a saying that every young actor and singer needed to "steal" from older, more experienced professionals.  What does this mean?  And how does it make you a better singer?

In education, cheating/stealing/copying from others are definitely frowned upon.  Yet we learn as little kids, as well as young professionals, that the best way to become good at something is to watch more experienced people and to 'copy' or 'steal' them.  For actors, this means watching the best and understanding how Meryl Streep or Tom Hanks works a scene - how do their individual actions make you believe they are sad, happy etc...?

As a singer, vocal technique is not something you can copy...you need to be in the practice room, taking lessons with a good voice teacher, and working on your voice everyday.  But singers can still "steal" by listening to other singers and how certain phrasing and musical choices can make one singer incredibly "musical."  Most voice teachers tend to take the view that musicality is inherent and cannot be taught.  I do not believe this.  Musicality is a function of having great ears attuned to what the music is doing, listening and copying great singers, and studying your music and the composing style.  Studying musicality is not a simple "A causes B" affair, but it can be learned.

DWS