Here at Mindful Musicians Academy my mission is to teach MINDFUL musicians. I want my students to be:
M-otivated: Be motivated learners. Practice often. Be determined to improve and excel.
I-nquistive: Be eager to learn–ask questions and be curious about how to create music.
N-o judgment: Be forgiving towards your peers as well as yourself as you learn together. We all come from different backgrounds and experiences. Mistakes are not the enemy. They are how we learn and grow. Lean into the imperfections.
Dare to share: Be vulnerable and brave. Don’t be afraid to share your strengths and your weaknesses with the group. We all have different abilities and can learn from each other.
F-un! Music is fun and we are here to have a good time. If we get too caught up in all of the things we need to learn and forget to enjoy the journey–music lessons can become a chore.
U-pbeat! Let’s be upbeat and positive. We learn best in an uplifting environment. Let’s build each other up and not tear each other down.
L-isten: Listen to your teacher. Listen to your peers. Listen to your own playing. Listen to experienced musicians. Listening is an important skill in becoming an excellent musician. Be teachable and humble.
As my students practice these principles, they will become more MINDFUL musicians. They will be more in tune with themselves and with their fellow performers. They will be able to live more in the moment and build a foundation that will ground them in their musical journey. My hope is to create a warm, inviting atmosphere where learning is encouraged and shared by all. A truly enriching education is where learning occurs on both sides of the student/teacher relationship. Where we work as a team to progress, with mistakes and growth happening simultaneously.