When we think of teachers for our kids, I imagine each of us hopes that those teachers will be the absolute best examples to our children. Most people, when looking to buy a house, look at the school system (and its' respective teachers) for this reason. When my children were in elementary school, I wanted teachers that would push my kids to learn more and succeed, but I also wanted them to reinforce the values of kindness and respect. I can specifically remember the teachers who did this.
In church, I hope for teachers who will allow the spirit to be in the classroom. I want the teacher to share stories from their own lives which will help the kids to learn. I want them to be positive role models for my kids, so that when my kids are teachers themselves in church, they will fall back on these examples.
I have no doubt that parents of athletes hope for coaches who not only have winning records, but who teach good sportsmanship. Brady Hoke, the current Michigan football coach, is an excellent example of this, especially following a coach like Rich Rodriguez.
I personally had two piano teachers who embodied everything I needed as a piano student. One was Mr. Murphy, my piano teacher in Texas. He saw possibilities in my playing and pushed me to succeed. Of course, I never really appreciated that he was pushing me, because he did it in a kind and fun way. I won just about every competition I entered, and it was no big deal--it was just the obvious outcome of what Mr. Murphy asked me to do. The other teacher was my very last teacher as a piano student. I had an Asian piano professor at Michigan State University. I only studied with her for three short months (and I don't even remember her name now), but I have no doubt that if I could have continued with her, I would now be a much better pianist than I am.
Because most of my teachers for piano were less than quality, I have determined to find only the best for my kids. In my opinion, it's a waste of time to study with lower quality teachers…unless of course we expect our kids' abilities to be lower quality. Sometimes, a family can get lucky. The choral director at our local high school, Robert Drafall, is one of those rare finds. My children will all tell you that choir is the best part of the school day for them. In fact, Johannah used Mr. Drafall as an example when applying to the Music Education program for the University of Michigan. However, he is an exception. We have been through our share of mediocre teachers here in rural Pennsylvania, and I got tired of not finding what I knew my kids need.
We all know the story. I found some of the best teachers in Philadelphia, and my children have amazed all of us with their musical abilities.
People ask me why I drive so far, and I feel like asking them, "Why wouldn't I?" I think it is monumentally important for children to feel like they excel at something, and to really own that ability whether it be in music, sports, leadership, or scholastics. There's something vitally uplifting in studying an art for hours a day and seeing results.
Most people don't understand just how amazing the kids' music teachers are. I try and try to explain, but unless you have lived in the music world, it doesn't mean much. Probably like my earlier reference to Rich Rod--a select few will understand it. These musicians are some of the best in the world, and they give my children opportunities that others wouldn't have. Sometimes, all we have to do is drop a name, like Heidi Castleman, for viola teachers to take note of Johannah. Or, Mark's horn teacher, Angela Bilger, used her connections and influence to help get Mark a sizable scholarship to the University of Michigan (after requiring much of him as a student). Angela knew what would be best for Mark in college, she knew what teacher would work best for him, and she helped Mark make it happen. I frequently tell them that I can't thank them enough for all they do for my kids.
Yesterday, the girls and I were driving into Philly, but because we had just delivered a pup to the Philadelphia airport, we were coming into town from the south side (instead of the normal north side). We happened to drive past the front of the Kimmel Center (where the Philadelphia Orchestra rehearses) and saw the marquis: Itzhak Perlman, undoubtedly one of the most famous violinists in the world, was playing with the orchestra this weekend. I'm glad to say that my girls didn't need to be reminded who he is.
We drove around to the back stage door where my girls enter for lessons. I needed to use the restroom, so Johannah got me in (yes, she has the power!), and as I walked around the back of the stage, I could hear the orchestra playing Dvorak's Serenade for Strings. My high school orchestra happened to play this back in the day, and I know every single note. Of course, this was no high school orchestra, and I was almost drawn to tears as I heard the beauty of each note (and this was just their rehearsal). I was overwhelmed with gratitude that my children have the opportunity to study with such great teachers. While they may be "Amy", or "Angela", or "Mrs. Fay" to us, and while we may know their families and count them as our friends, they are world-class musicians to many others.
As Glo was getting her instrument out of the car, I told her to ask Amy about Itzhak Perlman. I had no doubt that Amy would have had at least a conversation with the famous violinist. Turns out, Johannah was determined to ask Mrs. Fay about him too.
While waiting for Glo to come out of her lesson, I noticed something interesting. There was a van parked near the stage door, and when the side door opened, a handicapped ramp appeared out of the van. I could hardly believe my eyes, for as anyone who knows music knows, Itzhak Perlman contracted polio as a child and plays violin sitting down. I wondered if I was going to catch a glimpse of the violinist. Sure enough, within seconds, Mr. Perlman appeared at the stage door, and I steadied my camera to take a picture once he made it outside. In fact, I zoomed in and got everything ready on my iPhone. As soon as he made it down the small elevator and hit the pavement, I was hitting the screen to the camera on my iPhone in rapid succession. Unfortunately, I was so excited that I was hitting the screen, and not the "take a picture" button. Glo would be embarrassed if I was to post the one and only picture I got of Itzhak Perlman--the back of his head entering the van. Of course, Glo was quick to make a point when she saw my pathetic capture of the artist: if any of my children had been in the car with me, I would undoubtedly have pushed them out of the car with orders to run over and ask for a picture. This would not have been up for discussion--they would have done it. Good point, Glo.
Still, the awesomeness of the moment was not lost on me. My children study with teachers who work with very famous people. The teachers have given their entire lives to music (while still raising happy families, I might add). They have opportunities that very few have. We count it a privilege to study with them.
One final note. The Philadephia Orchestra naturally puts out playbills for each performance. Normally, the front cover is an artistic picture of some famous artist for that month, or a stunning photo of the conductor. Glo was pleased to hand over a playbill from the month of November:
Unbelievably, the woman taking notes in her music is Glo's violin teacher, Amy Oshiro. Now let me put this perspective. If a Kennedy was on this cover, it would be plastered around the world (compliments of me). I would have it framed on our wall, no doubt. My soul would just burst with pride.
The crazy thing is that I feel just as proud because it's Amy. As much as I try, I just can't tell her how much we appreciate all she has done for Gloria. When I see this picture, I am reminded of how she, like the teachers I spoke of earlier, pushes Glo in all the best ways. She has high expectations and she teaches with authority and kindness. When I have asked Glo about moving to Michigan, there is one and only reason she doesn't want to go: Amy. Amy is an integral part of Glo's life. When Glo practices her 90 minutes each day, she has Amy's notes on her music, she has Amy's voice in her head, and her goal is to come back to her lesson each week, prepared and ready to learn more. I honestly can't think of a teacher in Glo's life who has done more for Glo, nor showed as much concern for her. Glo comes out of her lessons uplifted and motivated when she has done the appropriate amount of practicing, and feels disappointed in herself (but still motivated) when she knows she hasn't.
And all those values that I hope teachers will give to their students? Amy had only one thing to say to Glo when she gave her this program: "They must have thought I looked studious, or something." Humility….one of the best lessons a child can learn from someone who has every right to not be humble at all.
In church, I hope for teachers who will allow the spirit to be in the classroom. I want the teacher to share stories from their own lives which will help the kids to learn. I want them to be positive role models for my kids, so that when my kids are teachers themselves in church, they will fall back on these examples.
I have no doubt that parents of athletes hope for coaches who not only have winning records, but who teach good sportsmanship. Brady Hoke, the current Michigan football coach, is an excellent example of this, especially following a coach like Rich Rodriguez.
I personally had two piano teachers who embodied everything I needed as a piano student. One was Mr. Murphy, my piano teacher in Texas. He saw possibilities in my playing and pushed me to succeed. Of course, I never really appreciated that he was pushing me, because he did it in a kind and fun way. I won just about every competition I entered, and it was no big deal--it was just the obvious outcome of what Mr. Murphy asked me to do. The other teacher was my very last teacher as a piano student. I had an Asian piano professor at Michigan State University. I only studied with her for three short months (and I don't even remember her name now), but I have no doubt that if I could have continued with her, I would now be a much better pianist than I am.
Because most of my teachers for piano were less than quality, I have determined to find only the best for my kids. In my opinion, it's a waste of time to study with lower quality teachers…unless of course we expect our kids' abilities to be lower quality. Sometimes, a family can get lucky. The choral director at our local high school, Robert Drafall, is one of those rare finds. My children will all tell you that choir is the best part of the school day for them. In fact, Johannah used Mr. Drafall as an example when applying to the Music Education program for the University of Michigan. However, he is an exception. We have been through our share of mediocre teachers here in rural Pennsylvania, and I got tired of not finding what I knew my kids need.
We all know the story. I found some of the best teachers in Philadelphia, and my children have amazed all of us with their musical abilities.
People ask me why I drive so far, and I feel like asking them, "Why wouldn't I?" I think it is monumentally important for children to feel like they excel at something, and to really own that ability whether it be in music, sports, leadership, or scholastics. There's something vitally uplifting in studying an art for hours a day and seeing results.
Most people don't understand just how amazing the kids' music teachers are. I try and try to explain, but unless you have lived in the music world, it doesn't mean much. Probably like my earlier reference to Rich Rod--a select few will understand it. These musicians are some of the best in the world, and they give my children opportunities that others wouldn't have. Sometimes, all we have to do is drop a name, like Heidi Castleman, for viola teachers to take note of Johannah. Or, Mark's horn teacher, Angela Bilger, used her connections and influence to help get Mark a sizable scholarship to the University of Michigan (after requiring much of him as a student). Angela knew what would be best for Mark in college, she knew what teacher would work best for him, and she helped Mark make it happen. I frequently tell them that I can't thank them enough for all they do for my kids.
Yesterday, the girls and I were driving into Philly, but because we had just delivered a pup to the Philadelphia airport, we were coming into town from the south side (instead of the normal north side). We happened to drive past the front of the Kimmel Center (where the Philadelphia Orchestra rehearses) and saw the marquis: Itzhak Perlman, undoubtedly one of the most famous violinists in the world, was playing with the orchestra this weekend. I'm glad to say that my girls didn't need to be reminded who he is.
We drove around to the back stage door where my girls enter for lessons. I needed to use the restroom, so Johannah got me in (yes, she has the power!), and as I walked around the back of the stage, I could hear the orchestra playing Dvorak's Serenade for Strings. My high school orchestra happened to play this back in the day, and I know every single note. Of course, this was no high school orchestra, and I was almost drawn to tears as I heard the beauty of each note (and this was just their rehearsal). I was overwhelmed with gratitude that my children have the opportunity to study with such great teachers. While they may be "Amy", or "Angela", or "Mrs. Fay" to us, and while we may know their families and count them as our friends, they are world-class musicians to many others.
As Glo was getting her instrument out of the car, I told her to ask Amy about Itzhak Perlman. I had no doubt that Amy would have had at least a conversation with the famous violinist. Turns out, Johannah was determined to ask Mrs. Fay about him too.
While waiting for Glo to come out of her lesson, I noticed something interesting. There was a van parked near the stage door, and when the side door opened, a handicapped ramp appeared out of the van. I could hardly believe my eyes, for as anyone who knows music knows, Itzhak Perlman contracted polio as a child and plays violin sitting down. I wondered if I was going to catch a glimpse of the violinist. Sure enough, within seconds, Mr. Perlman appeared at the stage door, and I steadied my camera to take a picture once he made it outside. In fact, I zoomed in and got everything ready on my iPhone. As soon as he made it down the small elevator and hit the pavement, I was hitting the screen to the camera on my iPhone in rapid succession. Unfortunately, I was so excited that I was hitting the screen, and not the "take a picture" button. Glo would be embarrassed if I was to post the one and only picture I got of Itzhak Perlman--the back of his head entering the van. Of course, Glo was quick to make a point when she saw my pathetic capture of the artist: if any of my children had been in the car with me, I would undoubtedly have pushed them out of the car with orders to run over and ask for a picture. This would not have been up for discussion--they would have done it. Good point, Glo.
Still, the awesomeness of the moment was not lost on me. My children study with teachers who work with very famous people. The teachers have given their entire lives to music (while still raising happy families, I might add). They have opportunities that very few have. We count it a privilege to study with them.
One final note. The Philadephia Orchestra naturally puts out playbills for each performance. Normally, the front cover is an artistic picture of some famous artist for that month, or a stunning photo of the conductor. Glo was pleased to hand over a playbill from the month of November:
Unbelievably, the woman taking notes in her music is Glo's violin teacher, Amy Oshiro. Now let me put this perspective. If a Kennedy was on this cover, it would be plastered around the world (compliments of me). I would have it framed on our wall, no doubt. My soul would just burst with pride.
The crazy thing is that I feel just as proud because it's Amy. As much as I try, I just can't tell her how much we appreciate all she has done for Gloria. When I see this picture, I am reminded of how she, like the teachers I spoke of earlier, pushes Glo in all the best ways. She has high expectations and she teaches with authority and kindness. When I have asked Glo about moving to Michigan, there is one and only reason she doesn't want to go: Amy. Amy is an integral part of Glo's life. When Glo practices her 90 minutes each day, she has Amy's notes on her music, she has Amy's voice in her head, and her goal is to come back to her lesson each week, prepared and ready to learn more. I honestly can't think of a teacher in Glo's life who has done more for Glo, nor showed as much concern for her. Glo comes out of her lessons uplifted and motivated when she has done the appropriate amount of practicing, and feels disappointed in herself (but still motivated) when she knows she hasn't.
And all those values that I hope teachers will give to their students? Amy had only one thing to say to Glo when she gave her this program: "They must have thought I looked studious, or something." Humility….one of the best lessons a child can learn from someone who has every right to not be humble at all.
Comments
Post a Comment