Music can be a very intimate practice. To share, create and collaborate can be challenging if not fostered in the beginning of musical education. Lending students a safe and educational place to create can lead to great confidence that spans all areas of life and study. Because of this, I encourage involvement in the community where possible. For instance, I most recently had my violin students collaborate with the local youth guitar orchestra to perform a small concert series. I challenged my students to ideate and take a hands on approach to arranging the music. The relationships they built were forever lasting, the skills the gained were expansive and each witnessed their own improvement with excitement. Engagement fosters a higher-level of learning and development. Fostering creativity leads to development but it can only grow from the fundamentals. The more tools in the box, the more one can create. Some discipline is needed to gain the understanding necessary to reach any level of freedom. In the early stages of a musical program I rely on parental involvement. We may not force our children to practice but repetition is key and encouragement is necessary. Violin is not an easy instrument. It takes a lot of focus but focus has great benefits outside of musical education, such as personal development or improvement of grades in school.

About Alyssa M.