E.M.

Over the course of my cello life, I have realized many challenges.  Intonation, focus, memory, nerves, bowing.  We had our recital in Harlem and while we had some fun demonstrations for the parents and group pieces, I also had all of the students play a solo.  And for several of them, this was the first time they had ever performed.

It's such an unusual thing to do and the fact that it is a little scary means that it is easy to forget what an incredible privilege and opportunity it is.  One of the girls in my class is extremely sweet and soft-spoken, but with an incredibly scattered focus.  Sometimes I've felt I needed to remind her that she is playing the cello.  In my mind, I had thought she might need some support to get through her Twinkle.  In her last through run-throughs her hand was way off (she said today in our warm-up reflection that something she had learned about the cello is that there are different notes), and she kept playing the middle section three times, though not always so clearly.

But in the recital today it was nearly perfect.  Her best performance yet.  The pressure of the moment brought her into focus, and when she stood up for her bow I saw her smile so delightedly.  It was another moment, like yesterday's, a realization of a possibility, of growth.

I can relate to her focus.  I can relate to the power of performance and the thrill that it brings to be so focused.  It's exciting to be sharing this with someone.