Envision and Presence

April and May: Envision and Presence 

This is my last blog post for the 2025-2026 school year! Where did the year go? I cannot believe June is here and everyone is gearing up for summer. 

My last two mantras, envision and presence, come at an interesting time. As the school year comes to an end and summer begins, I'm having difficulty contacting the present moment as I plan for the summer. To be honest, the summer stresses me out a bit. Students aren't taking weekly lessons due to travel and camps, and gigs become sparse. I worry about income, staying busy, and improving as a violinist, while also resting and re-setting for the next school year. Worry and stress certainly take me away from the present moment and prevent me from envisioning new objectives.

These mantras are nice reminders, however. Because summer slows down, I have time to mindfully sit and envision new goals for next year. I may reflect on how to improve as a teacher, player, and overall musician. Initially, this extra time worried me. Anxiety-induced questions ran through my mind: Am I using my time effectively? Am I wasting time? Am I lazy? These questions get in the way of true reflection and prevent me from contacting the present moment, reflecting on the past, and envisioning for the future. 

Summer as a child may be filled with some of our most important memories. Without the rush of school obligations and activities, days feel incredibly long and rich. Each day is filled with possibilities! I think summer lessons can embrace this mindset by incorporating fun and letting go of deadlines: playing duets, composing original pieces, playing familiar pieces entirely by ear (Star Wars Theme, Happy Birthday, Golden...). 

Summer lessons may also serve as an opportunity to reflect and envision for the next school year. How has the student grown from last summer? What skills will the student develop by next summer? Vibrato, shifting, nuanced bow strokes, note-reading...

As a professional, I hope to adopt these ideas into my own playing. What do I want to play or learn over the summer? My daughter sometimes watches short episodes of Little Bear, and the show's theme comes from a Schubert violin sonata. I want to learn that piece for her! On the other hand, I want to envision new goals for my playing, and I want to study difficult excerpts or etudes to improve my technique. Summer is a perfect time to work on these skills since I'm not preparing for a gig every week. 

That's it for my mantras this school year. I'll "see" you again in late August with more blog posts. Any ideas for next school year? New mantras, discussion of skills or pedagogy, mindfulness for musicians? Let me know!


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