"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." Kelly Corrigan

Last spring, I was contacted by a producer of a developing podcast where NYT Best-Selling Author, Dan Heath, would be interviewing people in different professions about the ins-and-outs of their work.

This sounded right up my alley. I am ALL FOR expressing more curiosity toward the experience of others. I think it holds the solution for many of society's problems... but that's another topic for another day. 😃

I was also excited to talk to someone OUTSIDE PianoTeacherWorld. It was an honor to represent this profession I love so much.

It was quite the experience, really. This was not an amateur operation (like mine).

I had a full phone interview with the producer first, which I absolutely loved. Our conversation led us to some really interesting places; several of which never made it to my actual recorded episode with the host of the show.

A few weeks later, I recorded the episode with Dan.

Then... crickets.

The show itself, What It's Like to Be, launched this fall. I was featured in the trailor, so I knew my episode must have "made the cut".

The episode finally released 9 months after our recorded interview. Phew!

It's been fascinating to watch "the pros" at work on this thing. There is a publicist involved (who has contacted all sorts of news/media outlets here in my hometown), top-notch editors...the whole shebang. I'm officially jealous of the TEAM Dan Heath has working this show for him.

So, that's the backstory.... but it's not really the point of today's letter.

As these things go, there were several parts of our interview that didn't make "the final cut".

At one point, Dan asked me about the biggest challenge of being a piano teacher. My response? The mental wear-and-tear of constantly having to assign a dollar amount ($) to our services... and knowing that amount is most-often met with questions and skepticism.

"You charge how much?!"🤐

I pointed out, I'm using a specific set of skills I've been honing since I was six years old. I am confident in the value I bring to my offerings, but it is uniquely-exhausting to put a dollar sign on the value of my skillsets (in ALL areas of MusicianLife; not just teaching).

I thought he would find this interesting, but instead, he dismissed it quickly. He said something to the effect of, "well, that's the same for any entrepreneur" and moved on.

I've replayed that moment in my mind many times over the past few months. I wish I had taken a moment to explain the fact that THAT'S THE THING: most of us are not teaching because we WANT to be entrepreneurs. The business part is so often learned "on the job" out of necessity, right?

I wish I'd done a better job explaining the whole entrepreneurial pursuit is secondary to the music... and many of us would give up all those responsibilities in a heartbeat if we could.

But - in the end - I'm still content with the conversation that was released on the show.

This whole experience has led me to ask YOU: What do you wish other (non-teacher) people understood about our work?

Click that REPLY button and tell me! I would love to know what comes to mind. If you send me your thoughts, I'll reply with another part of our conversation that didn't end up airing. 🙃

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🥂Cheers to sharing our experiences in hopes of building a more understanding society, friends." 🥂

Check out the Episode Here Last I'd heard, this episode had been downloaded by more than 30,000 people. That blows my small-time podcaster mind. 🤍 Listen Here

January Happenings:

January Book Study ...We are in the middle of Week 3 of our book study on The Gifts of Imperfection. I am LOVING seeing the book through new eyes of those reading this masterpiece for the first time. We "officially" began earlier this month, but if you're still interested in joining, COME ON IN! Sign-Up for more info!

Other Ways I Can Help You:

On the Podcast This week, I'm offering up one easy lesson activity we should all make more time for. It's a quick 15-minute listen, so be sure to check out Episode 153: Cheers to One SIMPLE Lesson Activity.​ Links and Transcript Here

Free Stuff! I've recently updated my page of FREE downloads. ​ Spend a few minutes perusing these offerings! I'm confident you'll find something useful there. Get Your Free Stuff!

Can't-Live-Without Repertoire This week's podcast episode focused on a listening activity I did with my students this week. ​ One of the pieces I played was Amber Glow, by the fabulous Robert Vandall, and it was met with unanimous student enthusiasm. 😀 Hand-crossing...dramatic sounds... this piece has it all. Check it out!

A Favorite Thing Sometimes fidgety students just need something in their hands to keep them focused (and not playing the piano while you're trying to talk to them). These marble mesh fidgets are my favorite. They do the job quietly and without distraction. PS: You'll probably find one in my own hands when I'm teaching online. 🙃 Find them on my Favorites

Patreon Community Great things are happening in the Patreon Community this month! We continue our Monday Morning Power Hours and are adding 20-minute Zoom chats for the Book Study (available to both tiers of membership). Join for $3 or $6 to check it out. Explore the Patreon

Methods, Reconsidered Your method is the vehicle, but you are the driver. Check out my Starter Guide to Making the Most of Your Chosen Method. Learn More Here

NOW: Hit that REPLY button and tell me WHAT YOU WISH OTHER PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT OUR WORK. 🥂

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