August 2015 Newsletter – Music Learning Apps

I was in a trumpet lesson my senior year of high school (did you know I used to play trumpet? It’s a secret!), when my teacher looked over and said, “You keep playing like that, and you’ll play the rest of your life.”  Not having much belief in myself or my abilities at that time, it was staggering to me that someone as talented as him would think I had a future in music.

Years later, during a period of self-doubt in college, I was on the brink of quitting everything and changing my major to something other than music.  A dear professor found me sitting outside the music building at UMKC and must have recognized what I was thinking.  He took time to tell me the progress he saw in me and his confidence in my potential.  It was all I needed to keep going.

Moments like those that have kept me going during hard seasons of life, both in and out of musical settings.  To know someone believes in you–and thinks you’re good!—it’s worth more than gold.

It doesn’t have to be a music teacher, of course: a coach, parent, boss, youth group leader.  But I am honored to have the job I do as a music teacher.  I have many goals for my students: how to play music, to learn discipline, how to practice and work hard, and to be able to play for their own enjoyment the rest of their lives.  But beyond those goals, my hope is that every one of my students leaves lessons knowing I believe in them, and that belief adds to their own strength and perseverance to get through life.

So to my wonderful teachers from throughout my life– Greg, Kyle, Becca, Mrs. Bovenschen, Mr. Westbrook, Mr. Auwarter, Dr. Parisi, Dr. Lidge, Dr. Elswick – Thank you for believing in me!

-Laura Lee