05/28/2026
One mantra in my studio is “progress over perfection.”
Music students are notoriously hard on themselves if their playing isn’t perfect, and that’s especially true at recitals.
I mean… Would you like to spend months practicing a piece only to make a few mistakes on stage??
It’s The. Worst.
BUT in my opinion, “perfect” is boring.
“Perfect” isn’t human.
“Perfect” doesn’t leave any room for feelings or passion.
(Beethoven, iykyk.)
Performance art is deeply vulnerable.
It requires the performer to spend hours and months striving for perfection only to then accept and embrace their flawed humanity and create something beautiful anyway.
In real time.
Openly. Publicly.
Anything else is just manufactured, lifeless imitation.
In a world of generative AI, performance art is an act of rebellion. It’s one of the bravest and most human things one can do.
And every single one of these kids is learning that lesson.
To be part of that journey for them is probably the greatest privilege of my life. 🫶🏻
