It NEVER gets old to witness a student's musical journey and growth, including their "AH-HA" moments.

Last night, I was teaching a 6-year-old student about the treble clef.  I drew it several times, in steps, while he looked on.

I then asked him to draw a treble clef by himself and his eyes grew wide.  I thought he was  nervous, so I said, "Don't worry; just do your best."

To which he replied:
"This is gonna be a little hard...but it's gonna be FANTASTIC!"

Kinda how I feel about life sometimes.  =)

SIGNS...
Isn't life surprising? Amazing?  Sometimes, when we need it most,
something extraordinary happens to help restore our faith. 

Today, a woman
visited the studio asking about drum lessons for her 4-yr-old daughter named
"Bella," who was there with her mother.  I told Bella that she had the same name
as my Bella studio and that makes her taking drum lessons even more cool. Bella smiled. 

And then, the mom told me that her younger daughter is named
Angelina, and they call her "Angel." Bella Angel...WOW! 

Thank you for this sign. It brought a smile to my heart...and was exactly the boost my soul needed
today. =)

I have a student named Abella.  She is 5.  She loves the fact that her name is
"just like Bella, but with an A at the front."

Tonight, she announced
at her lesson that she is "smarter than a person going into 2nd grade." 


When I asked her how she is smarter, she explained that this person "doesn't even know 10+10, 3+3, or where meat comes from."

I love what I
do. 
ROCK ON!
=)

The answer to why I teach music is quite simple:
I teach music because music saved my life.   

And, I want to share the power and gift of music with as many people as possible.

Music is, by far, the one thing in my life that has always been a constant positive (please note, I said "thing," not "person"). 
Music stood by me when I was a young girl, trying to navigate through awkward stages of growing up. 
Music stood by me when I was bullied in grammar school, acting not only as an outlet, but a friend.
Music stood by me when I was at the lowest points of my life, filling my time with positivity, discipline, and artistry.
Music stood by me and taught me that even if a song seemed too difficult, quitting was not an option.
Music stood by me and taught me that I COULD perform in front of people and that I COULD get over my stage fright.

The list of benefits is endless...but, what it boils down to is that music gave me confidence; it gave me purpose; most of all, it gave me HOPE. 

As I look back on my musical journey, I am filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment.  The future's lookin' pretty bright, too!