Last week, an adult piano student said this in a lesson. I couldn’t stop thinking about it: “I’m practicing living in the non-perfect.” Spending his days teaching and working in the sciences, he’s accustomed to precision and high-level attention to detail. For him,...

Stories of famous musicians making mistakes hold a special place in my heart. They remind me that it’s okay to be imperfect. If even the most accomplished musician is human, maybe there’s room for the rest of us. Last week I posted this on social media. I wanted to...

One of the most touching gifts I've ever received hangs in my studio, close to the piano where students can see. It was something I said in a college class one day, years ago. I wish I could tell you that it stemmed from a depth of wisdom earned through years of...

My favorite approach to managing nerves in performance is to offer our music to others. In truth, I always find it a little difficult to make this suggestion tangible for students. I can seek the look on their faces: “That’s a good idea. How, exactly, does that work?”...

When people ask me why I’m taking cello lessons, I usually tell them that my friend had a cello I could borrow, and my teacher had openings for adult beginners. If I’m pressed for time or energy, I might abbreviate: “I’ve always wanted to learn, so why not?” All true....

In a recent lesson at a piano camp for kids, one of the older students shared with me that she was really nervous about the recital. Was there anything she could do about it? I looked at the clock. There were five minutes remaining until the next class. How could I...

I’ve never been a huge fan of affirmations. For me, motivational phrases need personal meaning to be helpful. Here’s the story behind this one: I’d been working with Suzanne for several years. She helped with my website, but she was so much more than that. She was a...

Many teachers suggest beginning a meditation session with intention, or remembering why we do this. I often use the phrase “for the benefit of all beings,” but when a lot of life is happening—like it’s been lately—it can feel manufactured. Leave it to bedtime reading...

In my experience, many musicians come to mindfulness seeking help with performance anxiety. Relaxing the body and calming the mind certainly help. But as we begin to practice meditation, we discover a deeper well of benefits. When your identify is tied to what you do,...