From My Heart

This letter went out to ComposeCreate® newsletter subscribers on Tuesday, June 8th, 2020. But I wanted to include it here on the blog as well for those who missed the newsletter.

Dear Teacher,

This week and last week, we have paused our regular newsletter to honor and mourn the life and death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery and grieve the deaths of others in the Black community that have been taken too soon because of their skin color. I am trying to listen and learn, and discover where I can do better and specifically where the piano pedagogy and publishing world can do better as well.

Now is such a stressful time for teachers and I also want to say that I’m so sorry for all the pain that each of you have personally experienced in the last few months. Online lessons, fears of Covid, strains in relationships, loss of income, difficult decisions, and added stresses because life is just harder have been exhausting for all of us.

It is a sad and difficult time, but I’m encouraged that so many people are trying to adapt, change, and opening their hearts and minds to new possibilities. Please know that you are not alone in this stressful time. And please be careful not to expect too much of yourself. When difficult things happen, it’s okay to pause, mourn, and process, and then to move forward and learn. But grieving losses for ourselves and the Black community requires a space unto itself. It’s not only okay, but necessary to give ourselves that space.

I care about you all so much and want to reach out and hug you right now. Please know I send my love and am shedding tears with you even as I write this. Thank you for being a part of the ComposeCreate® community. You are loved.

With deepest affection,