Rethinking the Recital

As a piano teacher I have had the unique opportunity to participate in recitals and performances from two very different vantage points. One of my vantage points is that of a piano and violin student. In the past, I would go to lessons, practice hard, and sometimes memorize the piece my teacher had assigned. Throughout the …

Praise

One of my favorite musical expressions is teaching piano. I am a relatively new teacher, and so I still have a lot to learn. One of the many skills I am trying to develop is how to utilize praise appropriately. What kind of praise is best for my students? Is praise different for each person? …

Integrity

I have always been confused about what the word integrity means. I have heard multiple definitions: Honesty Doing the right thing even when no one is watching Sincerity Decency Having strong moral principles Earlier this month I was feeling curious about what other people thought about integrity. Maybe I could learn from them! So, I …

Where’s Louise?

My family and I have kept free-range chickens for the last few years. It has been a very fun adventure! One challenge is keeping the hens from being eaten by predators, so every night we close them up in their coop. Last night I went outside to lock the chickens up for the night. I …

Bullying = :( :( :(

One word: Ugh. Bullying is not okay. Words hurt. A lot. They come back to haunt us when we are having a bad day. I am going to tell a story. I know a boy named John* who has been bullied for several years by another boy, Dylan*. Dylan would tell John things like: "You …

“Just Send Money. Tens and Twenties.”

The quote and picture are from "A Charlie Brown Christmas", one of my favorite Christmas movies. In this holiday classic, Charlie Brown is depressed (as usual). He is confused by the over-commercialization of Christmas and is wondering how he can grasp the true meaning of the holiday season. Charlie is shocked when even his own …

Fourth of July

I recently saw this video on YouTube. It shows how many Americans today celebrate the Fourth of July but have no idea what they are celebrating. Our founding fathers put so much work into this country. We not only need to honor them and the men and women who bravely fought for the cause of …

Self-Confidence in Performances

During my 2011 violin recital, I was very scared, missed a couple of notes, and afterward was convinced I had done a terrible job. A couple of weeks ago I watched the video of this particular recital. To my great astonishment, I saw that the song I played was not perfect, but overall it sounded …

Mothers Day: How Do We Show Them Love?

Mother's Day: Breakfast in bed, presents, cards. Do you ask your mother what she wants? Or do you know her so well that you get her something that you know she would love? I go to church, and on Mother's Day all the children sing a song in church to their moms. I think that is …

The Truth About Mormons

Here is an example of a misconception that I once saw at a museum: The reason that the world is light when the Sun is up: The Sun is like a giant vacuum cleaner that sucks up darkness. Pretty silly, right? That is how I feel when I hear lies about my religion. I belong …