New beginnings

-Stathia Orwig

I am beyond grateful that September is here! For me, August is always a busy month, but this one was one that I would never want to repeat. It came after spending 4 weeks of much needed family time in Greece. Together with my parents, my husband, and kids, we had the best time reconnecting and relaxing as we soaked up the Greek beach, food and lifestyle. All this to say, it probably gave me the energy boost I needed to get through August!

As we all try to regroup and fit practice into our new fall schedules, it's important for us to give ourselves a chance to evaluate what's important in our lives today. A new school year brings tougher classes, new friendships, sports, and extracurriculars. How in the world do we fit it all in? We've all been at it for about a month now and we might finally starting to come up for air!? Honestly, I love September because it does feel like a fresh start- in a way, just like January! But we get both September AND January!

So how do we fit practice for the lessons we have committed to? First figure out all that you have going on. I like to ask my students to use practice as a break in their homework. Most of our students have at least a little homework or an afternoon routine. If the afternoon is not a good time to practice, then look at carving out time before school. Try connecting "practice" with another constant in your routine:

• Maybe sit down and practice while dinner is cooking. Or once you've had a snack after getting home, you practice before doing homework. Or maybe, it's homework and then practice as the reward! Another idea is right after dinner, before bedtime prep. There are so many options! 

Whatever you choose, stick with it! Try it for 3 weeks and then reevaluate. Does the schedule need to be tweaked? That's okay! Nothing needs to be set in stone, and things are always changing. If you miss a day, be sure to get back at it ASAP. You know, the longer you go, the harder it is to get back!

For me, I've been focusing on my workouts and morning ritual. I find that when I begin my day with mediation and exercise, the better prepared I am for my day. It helps me to juggle whatever gets thrown my way.

I've been out of my practice routine as well. I love to sit down at the piano and just play. But sometimes after teaching all day, the last thing I want to do is sit at the piano. On the weekends or on a night I get home at a decent hour, I will sit down at the piano and just concentrate on learning a new piece, not my phone, email, work, laundry...the list could go on! Focusing on learning a new piece- all of the notes, dynamics, & parts, is it's own form of meditation. It makes us be completely present and in the moment. Our brain is getting something completely different! It's the perfect reset. 

I hope that you get into the new rhythm of your fall and that this has helped. We are all in this together, so if you have more ideas, please throw them my way! 

As I end my first blog of this school year,  I hope you continue to gain wisdom, guidance, and joy from your music lessons and our teachers. I pray we receive strength to face challenges, clarity in learning, and continue to thrive in a positive environment that fosters growth and a love for music.