Special Note for Parents

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This means that even if your kid loves listening to music, loves dancing to music, loves playing music (when it is a piece they have already mastered)—they still probably won't love practicing music. 

And that's where you—the parent—come in. 

You don't have to be a musician yourself.  You don't have to know anything about music at all 

You only have to know about routine and habit.  And of course, you are already an expert in that.  You've been getting your kids to brush their teeth, do their homework, go to bed on time, and so on since the very beginning. 

You already know the power of habit.  And you already know that it isn't always easy to create them.  It can be a struggle.  It can be full-out war.  But you know that the struggle is worth it.  Because once habits are instilled, they last.  They last even when the going gets rough, even when motivation might temporarily wane, even when life gets super busy. 

As a teacher, I am going to do my absolute best to motivate your child to practice—by giving them repertoire that they are excited to learn, by developing a positive teacher-student relationship with them, by suggesting habit-tracking apps that can make the ritual of practicing a little more enticing, by holding occasional studio practice challenges, and so on. 

As a teacher, I am the motivation builder. 

As a parent, you are the habit builder. 

We are equal partners in your child's musical journey.  In fact, I believe that your role is even greater than mine.

In short, before you sign your child up for music lessons, you should know that, as in any journey worth taking, there is going to be some tough-slogging. It might seem like an endless uphill trek.  There are going to be days when your child whines that they are too tired, that they want to go back home; times when they plunk themselves down on the path, times when they refuse to budge.  This doesn’t mean that the journey isn't worth it, or even that your child really wants to go back home.   It just means that they need a little push, a helping hand to get over a rocky part in the path, an encouraging word, or maybe even just a snack.  You know what motivates your child.  You know how to help them build good habits.  You've done it all before. 

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Before you sign your kids up for lessons, you should know something. 

There are a few miraculous, self-disciplined, enthusiastic children who will never need to be told to sit down and practice.  I was one such child.  They do exist.  

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But they are extremely rare. 

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If your child becomes a life-long music learner—which is what I hope for each and every one of my students—we will share the credit.   They will remember me fondly.  But they will thank you—for making them stick with it, for encouraging them, for harassing them, yes, even for not letting them have any screen time until they've finished their daily music practice. 

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It's worth remembering that an uphill trek is the one that affords the most beautiful vantage points.  There will be many along the way.  When your child reaches one, stop and enjoy it with them.  And know too that at a certain point, once enough of these scenic lookouts have been reached, the act of climbing itself will become a pleasure.  And that's the point you will be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy watching your child continue on their own.