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...on Learning from Our Students... (One Thought Thursday 039)
Published 2 months ago • 4 min read
"I'd use the phrase, "the student has become the teacher", but the truth is, there is no 'becoming'. Our students are ALWAYS teaching us something (if we're paying attention)." Christina Whitlock
Content warning: Today's thought includes discussion of childhood cancer and subsequent death. If that's not the path you wish to travel today, please skip this one.
I promised myself I wasn't going to talk about this situation any more in BeyondMeasureLand, but seeing as how it's the only thing on my mind this week, here we go...
As I first mentioned in One Thought Thursday 027, I have a studio family who has been on a journey through their youngest son's struggle with brain cancer.
Sweet William (age 8) was laid to rest on Monday this week.
This is a family we are closely entangled with for lots of reasons, so it's been pretty all-consuming.
NOW, for the teacher-spin:
I teach William's 14-year old brother, who is an immensely talented musician, deep-thinker, and overall, one of the neatest humans I know.
He has been (understandably) distracted from piano-related things this year. So when his mom asked me - on Thursday - to help him prepare something for Monday's service, my brain went a little spinny.
But...when a 14-year old boy wants to step up and learn something in four days to share at his little brother's funeral?
You'd better believe I was going to make that happen!
I wish I could say the next four days were filled with beautiful, emotional encounters where I helped him find refuge at the piano.
In reality, it looked a lot more like me spoon-feeding him a simple piece because his mind was just...elsewhere.
Lots of deep breaths.
He willingly came to practice with me each day, and we ended up playing a beautiful duet at the funeral.
I'm the first to admit, we don't often give 14-year-old boys much credit.
But here's the thing about piano students...
One day, they are just cute little faces who love to play. Then, you blink your eyes and they grow up overnight.
To choose to make music in the face of the worst life has to offer? Incredible.
This whole situation has reinforced many of my core music-making beliefs. Among them:
Our music doesn't have to be "difficult" to matter. In our quest to teach our students advancing concepts, we must be careful not to send a message that harder is better. (see Episode 023)
Being a musician is often more about serving your listeners than serving yourself. (see Episode 068)
Our instruments are our emotional dumping grounds. (see Episode 125)
I keep looking back on pictures of this particular student from when he first started lessons with me at age 6. Back then, my biggest concern was how to keep him upright on the bench.🙃
And yet - here we were this week - sharing one of the most meaningful musical experiences people can have: using our skillsets to face grief head-on.
I am such a proud teacher this week, and find myself affirmed that what I am doing... what YOU are doing... matters more than we'll ever understand.
Do YOU have a student who has taught you something recently? Big or small... I'd love to hear about it! Hit that REPLY button and tell me something you've learned from your students this week.
🥂Cheers to fostering lifelong lovers of music, who aren't afraid to share it in life's most vulnerable moments. 🥂
I found myself needing to rest my voice last week, so Monday's episode features my interview from Dan Heath's podcast, "What it's Like to Be". It's a great episode to share with others (even non-musicians) to help them better understand the ins-and-outs of your experience.
If you find $3 or $6 worth of value in the work I provide, please consider joining the Patreon Community.
As pure bonus, my group over there is a collective of THE BEST-HEARTED teachers around.
If you want to be an artist who supports other artists, while connecting with teachers who are sincere in their efforts to be their very best Teacher Selves, this is the move for you.
If you ever struggle with questions of "is my method the problem?" or, "is it me?"
I have good news for you.
Check out this resource, which helps reframe the true role of a method series in your teaching. It also provides you with an essential exercise to make sure YOU are the true leader of your instruction.
*This email may contain affiliate links. That's just smart business, but please know all recommendations are purely my own, and are absent of any icky ulterior sales motives.
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