New Year, New Goals

I’ve always loved the changing of the years. Somehow, it brings with it renewed focus, excitement over ideas I want to implement and a resolution of growth in the coming months. I always find myself spending a large amount of Januarys exploring ideas about my personal, professional, and family intentions for the new year. Do we want more family vacations? Will I sign the kids up for a new sport? Where do I want to travel this year? A new skill I want to learn?

For my music studio, I think about new music to introduce to my students. Off-bench activities I want to try. How to market to new groups of students, when to schedule another recital and what I will seek out for my own growth this year. You never stop learning, even as a teacher!

During lessons in January, I also take the time to discuss goals with my students. What do you want to work on this year? Do you have a new favorite song you want to learn? Or focus more on something you really loved last year? We discuss practice goals, reflect on the previous year, and discuss how I can support them to keep them growing and learning too. This really happens more than once a year, but I find students, too, are refreshed after winter break and ready to tackle new challenges with a new intensity. I look forward to these conversations every year.

Here’s to a beautiful 2024!