Firstly, a HUGE thank you to all who have downloaded, played and shared this podcast, you make my day everyday!

Two stories in this episode- one about a young musician whose mom tried to live out her fantasy of stardom through her daughter, creeping most people out in the process; and another involving an over-zealous musician who didn't seem to get the memo about over-sharing among your peers.

As with all things here, these are all true, real life things I have experienced in my life as an artist and educator in the arts, names have been withheld to protect the parties involved!

Ah, recital season, which also means "audition season"...

Are you prepared, are you ready for the self-doubt, the anxiety and the woulda-shoulda-coulda after thoughts?

Well, artsie, maybe you can find some solace in my words.

I've see the best and worst of folks when presentation gets confused with competition.

Art is not a competition. Expression is not a race.

Creativity is not something to be seen as a goal post or something to exceed.

You create because you must; and if you honour precedes your delivery, you may claim success!

Another true story from my life as a music teacher, but the message easily applies in any discipline.

What happens when you raise the bar, you know, raise your expectations, up your game?

Sometimes we exceed our goals, sometimes we feel like we're going backward.

It's a good thing to do this, but there can be some really tough moments when we hold ourselves to a new and higher standard.

I did a video for this episode which can be found on my YouTube page @resound7

As always, please feel free to comment, let's have a conversation!

This episode is about accountability, not just to an instructor or mentor- but to YOU, especially YOU!

As both a teacher and a student, I constantly check-in with myself to see if my lessons are clear, thoughtful and appropriate for each student as well as understandable, and relatable from a student's perspective.

Here are a few things you can do today and into the future to help keep you and your students accountable, but also loving the creative journey along the way!

A recent experience in the music biz left me in a familiar feeling place; one of being somewhat overlooked, or relegated to a "space filler", and because this is unfortunately common, I'm used to it.

I'm Not Bitter, Just A Little Tart!

A timely follow-up to episode 71.

In this episode I'm shining a light into a dark corner of being a teacher of any sort- the student who thinks they have outsmarted everyone, including you!

What to do, how to handle and how to come to understand your place in someone's very particular learning process.

If you can relate, leave a comment, let's have a conversation.

What do you expect from a teacher? What do you expect from a student?

Even if these things remain unsaid in the class/workshop, there is an understanding that something is promised aside from fees being paid. What is it that is promised?

I outline my approach as a music teacher, but I really believe this extends into all fields and for both the teacher and the student.

This is not solely about angry artists, but rather those who seem to be crazed in their focus, determination and might look "crazy" or "weird" to those around them.

Here are some words of inspiration and a reminder about how and why you create. If you're just in it for the likes and social media presence- there are words for you as well!