Music Students & Teachers
Last week, the mother of two of my students sat in on her sons’ lessons. Not an usual occurrence in my studio by any means. But on this occasion, something most remarkable did take place and I was glad she was there to see it for herself.
Over the previous few weeks, her two boys (a first-year student and third-year student) had been gradually putting together the duet parts for Do-Re-Mi from the Sound of Music. Learning the selection by ear meant everything was being done without a single note on sheet music! Now it was time to demonstrate their combined accomplishments. The older brother played the introduction. The younger brother came in at the appropriate place. And off they went. I watched with amazement as they pulled it off without a glitch.
I turned to their mother and exclaimed, “Did you see that? Did you see?”
She nodded her head and expressed her appreciation with two simple words. “It’s magic!” she affirmed. An acknowledgment that her sons had accomplished something almost unexplainable. Something so marvellous that we were completely overjoyed with gratitude to have witnessed it for ourselves. A spontaneous moment where gratitude took centre stage - and a reminder for me that a year of teaching can contain much to be thankful for.
Gratitude for My Students - Looking back on the 2025-26 teaching year, I’m struck by how experiences involving gratitude and my students span an entire spectrum. At one end, spontaneous occurrences catch us by surprise with their serendipity - like two boys dedicated to a Do-Re-Mi duet. Students with insights, possibilities, and accomplishments I can never fully anticipate until it actually happens in front of me.
At the other end of the spectrum, gratitude also comes from the deliberate process of pulling out what’s not available at first glance. Like recognizing my student Anna whose interest in chord formations always takes her composing journey in uncharted directions. Or my student Lucas who recently chose Fur Elise as his choice for soul food. Or my student Patrick who includes music making in his life as the pick-me-up he can depend on. To appreciate them, I slow down my pace to uncover the gems hidden within.
Gratitude for the Teach Music 21C Community - I’m also grateful for the TM21C community of teachers whose curiosity, creativity, challenges, and insights continue to inspire my days. I treasure how a quick teacher conversation on the challenge of “follow up” can trigger a revisiting of instructional must-haves. How the matter of studio policies may require an empathetic lens in order for music teachers to feel comfortable. How what we don’t know will always outpace what we do know and somehow we need to be okay with that.
I appreciate how teacher conversations rarely end where they begin. Simple questions often lead to deeper questions. A challenge shared by one teacher frequently resonates with others. What starts as a discussion about communication, practicing, or individuality often becomes a reflection on what we value as music studio teachers.
Surrounded by the TM21C community of teachers, I cherish that music teaching isn’t a solitary pursuit. While we spend much of our time one-on-one with students, our growth as teachers is strengthened through the exchange of ideas with colleagues equally committed to thoughtful and inspiring music studio teaching. The questions we ask challenge us to think more carefully. Another teacher’s perspective broadens our own. Willingness to share successes and struggles alike enriches our teaching.
Students and Colleagues - As another teaching year draws to a close, gratitude feels like the appropriate response. Gratitude for the students who continue to explore. Gratitude for colleagues who challenge and encourage. And gratitude for the countless musical moments—large and small—that remind me why this work matters.
For all of it, I am deeply grateful.
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