When I was a graduate student  in psychology at the University of Hawaii, I worked as a guitar teacher in a music store.  However, I stayed focused on my studies and didn’t talk about it much.  One day, a classmate was visiting at my apartment.  When I pulled out my guitar to play for her,  she sat back in surprise and said “OMG, that’s who you are!”  She was right, and I still chuckle over it.

I have taught guitar since high school and I really enjoy it.  I find the sharing of music, the discovery of new music and new abilities (both the student’s and mine), and the pure collaboration of teaching to be extremely uplifting.  Eventually, we all find that every piece of music is a teacher, and that’s exciting.   However, I find that every student is a teacher, and that’s just awesome.  Obviously, connecting with people through music is a very powerful experience.  Connecting with an instrument is a powerful way to find peace in a crazy world. 

We learn about music, instruments, styles, and techniques; I learn about people.  But, most of all, we just keep learning and focus on the process.  If the process is right, the product will take care of itself!  There is lifelong joy in the process of lifelong learning, too!