08/03/2025
We finished our Practice Workshop this morning and for the third year in a row we surpassed 100 different ways to practice. This is such a valuable workshop for all of us every summer because it gets us out any practice habits that are weighing us down and opens up dialogue about what practice and preparation can feel like. We also delved into Practice Science and strategy to motivate students to really utilize science based practice methods. The kids are so honest in class and learn they are not alone in how they relate to practice, progress, and the pursuit of beautiful performances.
Im looking to reframe practice as a privilege and a place to find empowerment. I hope we moved closer to it this past month. I want for all students to feel empowered in practice and look forward to their time with their instrument. Honing a healthy relationship with practice takes time and a level of patience and thoughtfulness most preteens and teens don't naturally have so talking it through in a group setting always seems really helpful. There is a stigma around practice that suggests it should be done as a chore or suffering so we all need to work at reframing this for our young artists. This is about wellness and keeping the lines of creativity and imagination open. In the end, that will bring us closer to hearing what they truly feel about their music and I believe they have a uniquely fresh and beautiful perspective.
Look at what we came up with in four classes together!
