Create your Vision

Summertime is just around the corner! What a wonderful time to examine where you are now and where you want to be, as well as take some needed time to relax, enjoy the weather and spend time with family and friends! As I wrap up the end of my teaching year, I am taking some time to reflect on the last year and envision the future of my studio.

Recently I read the book, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. This book is told from a dog’s perspective (Enzo), and is a lovely fictional tale with a message for living a rich life, sticking to ideals, and creating vision. Since I am a dog lover and my dog’s name is Enzo, a friend suggested that I read it. If you haven’t already read the book, I highly recommend it for your summer reading list!

One of the most poignant statements for me in the book was –

“That which you manifest is before you.”

You see, Enzo’s master, Denny, was a race car driver and was taught this principle in racing. Denny had a knack for driving in the rain because he was able to see beyond where he was and prepare for the next challenge of the road. But there is a greater meaning. To Enzo, it means that you create your own destiny.

Dare to dream! The following are a few ideas for growth in my studio:

– Create community and collaboration through greater opportunities for ensembles and chamber music
– Develop musicianship skills in my students, including emphasis on theory and sightplaying skills, as well as strengthen technical skills such as scales, chords and arpeggios
– Strive to ignite the passion for music in each and every one of my students, motivating them to learn their repertoire swiftly
– Challenge students to reach their full potential – Never Give Up!
– Plan the purchase a Steinway model “B” for my studio
– Use technology tools to organize the flow of my business better
– Hire an assistant teacher, and perhaps…expand my studio to a larger space with more teachers!

I have mentioned before that my summer job is teaching people how to ride motorcycles. On a motorcycle, you go where you look. If you look down, you go down (not good!). We always stress that you go where you look. How true this is!

In life, we go where we look. Where are you headed? Where is your studio headed? Where do you want to be in five years, ten years? Take the time this summer to dream – write it down because…that which you manifest is before you!