Having zero piano skills does not mean having zero other skills. I used to freak out about my piano class (there’s a class at my school that’s required for non piano majors)… I thought that if I couldn’t play the piano, I would never make it as a musician. But then this cellist in my class who was absolutely horrendous at the keyboard (I don’t actually think he EVER practiced piano) won a ridiculous principal job. That was the day I stopped practicing piano. Oops.

Composers, Operas, Symphonies, etc etc etc. For the past two years, I’ve had to sit through classes learning about gregorian chants and medieval music and other poop like that. But this year, I’m finally learning about classical and romantic and impressionistic composers! Yipee!! First semester, my teachers covered a bunch of Wagner operas and Brahms symphonies… and today we learned about Puccini’s Turandot (and in a few days- a field trip to the Met Opera to see it live!)

Be nice to everyone. That simple. I’m not actually really good at this one at all. I try to be. But then stress happens, and error in judgments happen, and bad meals happen… and well, it’s not that easy. One of my favorite teachers told me that he lives by this, and I admire him about it because he is able to do it without being a phony. Everyone loves him. And he probably has golden karma.

Don’t judge people. Ever. I slip with this one too occasionally, but I actually think I’m pretty good at not judging people who I first meet. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been judged way too many times since a majority of my friends are guys. It feels really poopy. I truly believe everyone has got something cool about them. So chances are, if I meet you, and you haven’t stolen my mustard, I love you.

10 pounds doesn’t make a difference. I would rather have a chubby tummy and doughy arms and eat all of the cheese I want, than be obsessive with a diet and two sizes smaller.

Things I am in the process of learning

World percussion! I’m a classical percussion major (meaning xylophones, timpani, snare drums, triangles, etc etc), but I am also exposed to so many different styles from around the world! Last week I came into my private lesson and said to my teacher, “teacher, I want to learn middle eastern drums.” And so I had a two hour lesson on the doumbek and riq. Then, today, I had conga class and learned about rhumba (did you know that rhumba and rumba are two completely different things?!) and mambo and bembé and salsa! Oh it was so fascinating. Also, a few months ago the cymbal player from the London Symphony gave a class, and I learned that London cymbal technique is about the polar opposite of American cymbal technique. I am totally dorking out right now, I’m really sorry.

Writing. I have to take one non music class per semester. My school doesn’t offer any math or science classes (I don’t know if that’s a bad thing or a good thing), but I’m in this AMAZING creative writing class. I love it. I feel sort of weird about having to write fiction, but that’s only because I’ve never done it, and it is getting more and more fun!

When in doubt, go to yoga. Self explanatory.

Things I want to learn before I graduate

How to be a girl in a male dominated field. I’m nice to the guys, they think I’m flirting. I’m mean to them, they think I’m a total bitch. I try to be one of them, I’m being too manly. WHAT GIVES?!

this is a picture of only some of the instruments used in that recital!

To play more pieces that use a lot of instruments. My sophomore year, I gave this recital that used probably around eighty different instruments- no joke! Oh, it was so much fun. I don’t know anywhere else where I could have pulled that off. Before I graduate, I really want to feel like I’ve taken full advantage of my school’s instruments and performance/rehearsal spaces.

The kicker: something I just recently learned, but am still working on sustaining- and this is one thing that I would like to pass on to everyone reading this…

No matter how much I feel liked I’ve failed in my work, or how much I feel I can to better, I will not let it affect my overall happiness. I used to really beat myself up about not doing well in auditions, or not playing my best in a concert… I would tell myself that I didn’t deserve to enjoy something because I didn’t do well in something else. And I would do silly things like reconsider my career plans because I didn’t play well in a class or something.  It was unfair and unproductive (maybe it was productive for my playing, but not productive for myself). A conversation with my friend Josh, and a Ben Folds song made me realize that if I’m always going to try to be the best at everything, I’ll never be happy with who I am or my accomplishments (that song, by the way, is called, “There’s always someone cooler than you.”). That’s not to say that I shouldn’t always try my best- but, it’s possible to do that and not let the outcomes affect my happiness.