"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

My sentimental self is having all the end-of-school-year feelings, and I'm starting to understand why I feel as though I've been crawling for the finish line.

Friends, it's been a year.

As I was recording Episode 167 this week, it dawned on me how many "firsts" I've had during the 2023-2024 academic year. It took me almost 29 years, but here are a few noteworthy initiations I've had this year (from silly to serious):

• I had a student pee his pants in my studio for the first time. He was in a group class, admittedly having "so much fun", when he suddenly declared, "Mrs. Whitlock! I laughed so hard I peed my pants!". I went into crisis-mode, worried he was going to be mortified, but he stayed joyful as I packed his things and walked him out to his mom who was - thankfully! - waiting in her car.

Lesson learned: Perhaps there is such a thing as "too much fun" in class.

• Unfortunately related, I had a student with the same type of "accident" during her performance at our local festival this spring. I told the whole story on Instagram with Janna Williamson. It's far from my favorite new studio trend, but, again, this student handled it like a champ.

Lesson learned: Try as I might, it's impossible to prepare Festival Judges for EVERY scenario.

• My recent spring recital contained a CHAOTIC "first": but you'll have to listen to Episode 167 for those details. It's worth checking out, especially if you want a new "recital nightmare" to add to your collection. 😃

Lesson learned: There are many things more entertaining than a "perfect" performance.

These stories are all light-hearted and end with a laugh, but this year has thrown me some first-time emotional gut-punches as well.

• My eldest student left this earth on Thanksgiving Day. She had lessons at 9am on Thursdays for SIXTEEN years. We lived so much life together. I had the profound honor of playing for her as she was at home in hospice care. Her (delayed) memorial service was held in a beautiful garden two weeks ago, on my recital day. Challenging as it was, we found a way to attend both (and I'm so glad we did).

Lesson learned: I'd long looked to her as a mother-type figure in my life, but hearing from her family and friends that she considered me a daughter? I was not prepared for how that would affect me.

• I played a duet with a longtime student at his 8-year-old brother's funeral. Truth be told, the loss of our little friend, William, has colored most of this year for me in one way or another. But preparing his brother to play for his funeral? That was an emotionally-complex experience I will carry with me always.

Lesson learned: We just never know what our student relationships will hold. One day, they're just cute and quirky kids. The next, we're navigating the toughest stuff of life together.

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Did YOU have any "firsts" in your studio this year? Silly or serious... I WANT TO KNOW! Hit that REPLY button and tell me all about it!

🥂Cheers to riding the unique waves of each studio season. The unknown has so much to teach us.🥂

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This Week on the Podcast ​Episode 167 gives an important reminder for ALL of us: Some things are better than perfection. Check it out to hear about the recital snafu I never saw coming. Links and Transcript Here

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Don't forget to HIT REPLY and tell me YOUR studio "firsts" from this year! 🥂

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