Tales From The Lane
Living Your Best Life as Creative Artist
Category: Performing
The Great Reframing: or, why I am suddenly grateful that all of my concerts this year have been canceled due to COVID-19.
One of the teaching jobs I had, while I was a freelancing cellist, was at a private school. I conducted the orchestra and string ensembles, ran the chamber music program, and taught cello lessons. After a few years of my poking my nose… Continue Reading “The Great Reframing: or, why I am suddenly grateful that all of my concerts this year have been canceled due to COVID-19.”
Permission Granted
Not that you need it, but you seem to be asking for it anyway. I see you, my friend. You’re an incredible musician. Thoughtful, dedicated. You went to the right schools and survived the years of practicing 6-8 hours a day in order to… Continue Reading “Permission Granted”
Canceled by Coronavirus: Will the Show Go On?
What do we musicians do when public health concerns shutter our performances and make travel risky? As I write this, the concern over contracting the COVID-19 virus has gone from “If you or someone close to you have traveled recently to China” to a… Continue Reading “Canceled by Coronavirus: Will the Show Go On?”
Why You Need to Stop Waiting for the Phone to Ring
It was that day that I stopped waiting for “someone” to call me up and I just started finding my own concerts. I researched them, I created them, I made them happen. Did I make mistakes along the way? Of course. Did I learn a lot about how to do it? Of course. That’s how it works.
Are You on the Wrong Train?
“Have you ever had a conversation that seemed innocent enough at the time, but with hindsight you realize was one of the most monumental moments of your life?” Years ago, when I was still living in Boston, I was living a double life. I… Continue Reading “Are You on the Wrong Train?”
Back From Vacation? 8 ways to Get Back Into Your Practice Groove.
Today is Labor Day, our modern-day signal that summer is over and we all have to get back to work. Whether you spent the last three months studying or playing at various festivals and camps? Or maybe you took some time off to travel,… Continue Reading “Back From Vacation? 8 ways to Get Back Into Your Practice Groove.”
Summer Festival Not in the Cards This Year? 10 Steps to Making This Your Most Epically Productive Summer Anyway.
Summer is here! (YESSS) If you’re off to learn/teach/perform at a summer festival or two, then you’re certainly in for a busy and inspiring 8 weeks. But what if you’re not? Whether it’s due to financial considerations or because life is just requiring you… Continue Reading “Summer Festival Not in the Cards This Year? 10 Steps to Making This Your Most Epically Productive Summer Anyway.”
My Top 10 Favorite Books for Musicians
The ends of the concert season and school year are approaching and (thankfully!) bringing along the slower pace of the summer. Even if we have a full schedule of festivals and concerts, there is a bit more free time between June and September. It’s… Continue Reading “My Top 10 Favorite Books for Musicians”
Etudes: A Love Story
Anyone who has asked me how/what I practice each day knows that I play an etude every day. Usually I just go through my books of Popper or Piatti, but sometimes I mix it up. Every so often I go through a student level… Continue Reading “Etudes: A Love Story”
The “Non-Professional” Music Life
I bet you started playing when you were knee-high to a grasshopper. In fact, you can’t really even remember much about your pre-music childhood. Now you’re 17, and you’re choosing whether to major in music, or another one of your passions. Or you’re 27… Continue Reading “The “Non-Professional” Music Life”