Welcome!

Have you ever done something so new and foreign to you? Like go sky-diving, travel to a new country all by yourself, or pick up a musical instrument having no musical knowledge whatsoever?

Well, blogging is that for me! I have so many ideas and plans for this blog, yet writing this first one just seems so terrifying! I keep having doubtful thoughts like, “why would somebody read this ever” or “what if people just end up making fun of me”, but then I also thought, what do I have to lose?

Now, you’re probably wondering why I actually started this!

Why did I start this blog?

Since I was little, I have loved journaling. I would go from making daily entries of my life, to writing short stories. Even though they were probably not the best stories, I absolutely loved writing anyway. I have also written through many of my best memories, such as meeting my now husband.

Creating this blog is something that I look forward to developing along with my pursuit of private teaching, as well as being a full time wife!

My goal with this blog is to, first and foremost, help other music teachers with how to pursue our passions in life when we feel like we are not good enough, whether it be good enough at what we are teaching, how we are teaching, or how we connect with our students!

Another major goal of mine through this blog is to inspire women who want to be a stay at home mom, or wife but also don’t want to give up on their passions when life gets crazy!

Ever since graduating college a few years back, getting married to the man of my dreams, and being in the real world, it was difficult finding time and reason to pursue my passion, which is performing and teaching. I even have questioned, and still question what my passion is sometimes! Ever feel that? I loved playing the clarinet, and all music has to offer, but I sometimes felt that I did not want to continue if I could not be the best.

I was stuck in a never-ending circle of comparison and I felt that I couldn’t get out. I got stuck in a rut. I knew I had to get out, and I knew I would eventually, but I decided to give myself a lot of time to figure out what I wanted. I decided to explore my other interests, such as reading, journaling, and cooking!

It took me a long time to realize that I had been putting myself in a box; that box being that I should already be teaching a full studio, and should not be working at Starbucks, but should be playing in symphonies and being the teacher that people call for their clarinet lessons.

Getting out of this box is hard. I had to put down my pride and realize that it is okay to be struggling at the beginning of my career. I also decided this is the best time to really discover why I have chosen this path and how I could use it to benefit others, and myself, best.

So, I turned off Netflix, got off my couch, and I created a website! I ordered business cards, and talked to my music friends about the best way they marketed themselves. Freelancing is hard! It is so uncomfortable putting yourself out there. It is basically just trying to prove yourself to people that you know your stuff and you are valuable.

I emailed every middle school and high school around me, I told every band director that if they want their students to improve and take private lessons, I’m your girl (Ok, I said that in a more professional manner, but you get it)!

After emailing dozens of band directors, and music schools, I got maybe two replies. I was discouraged. I went back to the couch.

My brain started to wander, and the devil got into my head. I started thinking “They’re right, why would anybody want me to teach their kids? I’m not in a huge orchestra, I don’t have a Master’s Degree.

Heck, I am having those thoughts as I type this.

I guess what I am trying to say out of all of this is that it is okay to not know what you are doing in life! It is okay to be feeling like you are stuck, it is okay to work at Starbucks to pay the bills, and it is okay that you are not using your degree at the moment.

So, what am I doing here?!

I want to help! Here, you will be able to find tips that I have tried and tested for improving your teaching skills. I will post ways to improve practice techniques, my experiences with growing my business, and what I have learned through my failures. I want to help you get back into something you once loved, and how to love it again.

I am excited to start this new journey of blogging and hope to hear about your own journeys along the way!

Katie