Music Ball has become one of my favorite studio traditions—not just because it’s fun, but because of what it does for our students. This friendly 6-week competition brings out the best in them. And this year, that was clearer than ever.

When I sat down and looked at this year’s Music Ball results (with the help of AI), one thing stood out immediately:
The scores went up almost every single week—across almost every team.

That means:

• Students practiced more.
• Stayed accountable.
• Improved their consistency.
• And most importantly, felt motivated.

Some teams started strong and stayed strong.
Some started slow and made HUGE jumps.
And some teams skyrocketed near the end with a burst of energy and teamwork.

​A few patterns really stood out:

• The Moons, Rockets, Black Holes, and Comets slowly climbed every week — steady, dedicated effort.
• The Astronauts had one of the biggest turnarounds: from lower early scores to a huge improvement by Week 6.
• The Milky Ways, Meteors, and Shooting Stars were powerhouse teams with consistently high scores.
• And almost every team had their best week near the end of the competition.

Earlier this week, I listened to a conversation between Jay Shetty and Laura Lynne Jackson, and something she said stayed with me long after the episode ended: “The universe is always communicating with us—but it speaks softly.”

Now, I've read 2 of her books and completely loved them, but, it's been a hot minute since I've read them. Hearing that line stopped me in my tracks. Life gets so noisy with decisions, schedules, expectations, and the rush of everything happening at once- especially these last few months. Yet the most important guidance often comes in the quiet — the subtle nudges, the coincidences, the moments that make you pause and think, “That can’t just be random.”

Lately, as I’ve been moving through a season of change at Music SO Simple, this idea feels especially true.

A few days ago, I was sitting in my office after a long day of meetings, reviewing schedules, and handling the usual swirl of decisions that come with running the studio. I felt mentally full — that “too many tabs open” kind of feeling.

Right then, one of our students walked by the window, completely lost in their own world, humming the melody they learned earlier that day. It was simple, sweet, and completely unprompted.

And it stopped me.
It was such a tiny moment — just a kid humming.
But in that instant, it felt like the universe whispering, “This is why you’re here. You've got this- keep being you!”
Not the logistics.
Not the stress.
Not the behind-the-scenes chaos that no one ever sees.
Just the joy.
The magic.

The reminder that music finds its way, even when everything else feels loud.

That moment felt like one of those “quiet signs” Laura Lynne Jackson talks about — the kind you only notice when you slow down enough to see what’s right in front of you.

Laura talks about intuition, signs, and how answers often appear when we’re finally still enough to notice. I whole-heartedly believe this.

For me, running MSS has always been a mix of structure and instinct. Yes, I plan, budget, hire, and organize. But the deeper decisions — the ones that shape who we are — tend to come from paying attention to the softer voice inside:

• This is the right direction.
• This change is necessary even if I don't like it.
• This is a letting-go.
• This is an opening.

And when I look back, some of MSS’s most important growth moments started with something unexpected — something I didn’t plan for, but something that made sense later.

The biggest lesson I’m sitting with right now is trusting the unfolding. Not everything has to be understood immediately. Not everything arrives neatly packaged, right?

Sometimes we only understand the “why” after we’ve lived through the “what.”

One of our favorite times of the year at Music SO Simple is recital season! Our Holiday Recitals are just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the hard work and growth of our students- our special theme this year is "Silver Bells ".
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At MSS, we believe recitals are about so much more than just performing a piece of music — they’re about building confidence, sharing joy, and celebrating progress. Every performance, big or small, represents weeks (and sometimes months!) of learning, dedication, and heart.

Recitals are a chance for students to shine — to show what they’ve learned, to overcome nerves, and to share something beautiful with others. We teach our students that performing isn’t about being perfect; it’s about sharing their love of music and taking pride in their accomplishments.

These experiences also help develop important life skills: confidence, poise, discipline, and perseverance. Each recital is a milestone, and the sense of accomplishment students feel afterward often carries into other areas of their lives. Recitals truly give you a full picture of all that music lessons teach us!

Our teachers have been busy helping students choose recital pieces that fit their level and personality — music that allows them to perform with confidence and expression.

We also set a memorization deadline of December 7th, which gives students enough time to polish their music, work on dynamics, and practice stage presence before recital day. Meeting this deadline is a big part of setting every student up for success — it transforms “last-minute nerves” into excitement and readiness.
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Being prepared means more than just knowing the notes. Students should:

• Have their piece fully memorized
• Play with clear dynamics and musicality
• Know how to start and end confidently
• Be comfortable bowing and walking on/off stage
• Have practiced performing for family or friends