I was thinking the other day that I no longer have a “music-teacher” identity; my identity has changed. For over thirty years, I dedicated time and energy to be the best I could be at the teaching career. Of course, this required much research, observation, networking, reading, team-work, listening, exploration and discover; trial and error, developing my strengths and strategies to working with young adults, showing them that I was passionate about music-making and I cared, and was (serious) about this passion - I cared about young people and I wanted them to be interested and engaged, developing a keen appreciation for Music! Now that I have left teaching full time, I have a new identity, I manage a music festival - it’s similar to running a business. I have many clients; I have people to answer to, above me. I work with technology person (webmaster), I have a great team of volunteer teachers to work with; I manage finances, budgets, problem solve, answer emails, respond to phone messages, make decisions, organize venues, move equipment, promote, attend meetings in the community, do much planning - wow!
My other identity, one that I kept even during my teaching career, is the performing artist identity. I continue to devote time to practicing my craft, developing and maintaining my skills. Actually, it’s this particular identity that I have carried with me much longer than the teaching identity.
So, to sum-up, I like this new identity and am proud of my accomplishments with the “teaching” identity, and am thrilled about continuing with the “accordion” identity.
Bye for now . . .
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