"How long should I practice at home?" The question caught me off guard; it probably shouldn't have. New musicians ask questions every day: what they should practice, how to play a specific pitch, and even how to hold their instrument properly. This question was different. He wanted to know how much time I wanted him to spend with his violin. I took a moment to think of the best response to give him, but my mind was spinning. When did practice become about duration rather than

In recent conversations amongst collaborators, a recurring theme- language and how our interpretations of the words we use shape the environments we create- continues to surface. This inquiry has always interested me. However, after a recent professional development session, I found myself delving deeper as I listened closely to the key language stated. Naturally, my attention should have been on the content, but the recurring phrases and lack of validity made it nearly impos

Throughout my life, I’ve often found it difficult to see the bigger picture amid unfolding events. It is only after going through major shifts that I can begin to weave together and process the underlying meaning of all I’ve experienced. I believe this to be the case for many. Possibly because life is not a straight path forward or easy for any of us, in any way. Much like the natural process of learning, it can span the spectrum from free-flowing joy to the overwhelmingly co

It has been stated that over the course of a journey, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Sentimentality aside, in the oversaturated media environment that the blogosphere occupies, it might be suggested that absence leads to the evaporation of readership. Although it has been over a year since our last post for S.A.G.E., that span of time has been marked by significant events and milestones encompassing the learning, leadership, love, and loss that define the arc of life. I