In 2024, I read 32 books. This isn’t a staggering number in comparison to some of my friends who read 100 or more; but what is the saying? “Comparison is the thief of joy.” And so I will be proud of the 32 books I read. My goal was 30, and I exceeded that by 2. I’d say that’s a win!

It’s the last day of 2024, and what a year it’s been! This blog will be 1 year old in February, and I am so thankful for all of you who have encouraged, supported, and followed me on this journey!

We’ve made it to the final week of Advent; and as we prepare for Christmas, our theme this week is “Embracing the Peace of the Divine.”

This week, we focus on the peace that Christ brings—a peace that goes beyond our understanding and invites us into the very presence of God.

By the time we reach the third week of Advent, many of us are deep into the holiday season, surrounded by the complexities of our musical obligations. From intricate arrangements to challenging solos, it’s easy to get lost in the details. But this week, we are called to focus on the joy of simplicity.

The holiday season is often synonymous with chaos—endless rehearsals, performances, and a calendar packed with events. As musicians, we can easily get caught in the whirlwind of preparing for Christmas concerts, church services, and other performances. But amidst the chaos, Advent invites us to reflect on peace and harmony—not just in our music, but also in our relationships.

As musicians, we’re all familiar with the rush of the holiday season - rehearsals, performances, and countless practice hours seem to fill every available minute. In the midst of this frenetic pace, it’s easy to forget that Advent—the season leading up to Christmas—is meant to be a time of reflection, stillness, and spiritual preparation. This year, let’s take a step back and discover how we can cultivate stillness in our practice as we journey through Advent.

Music has an incredible way of bringing people together. Whether it's playing in a band, singing in a choir, or jamming with friends, there's something special about making music with others. But beyond the joy of shared music-making, being part of a supportive musical community can have a significant impact on our mental health and overall well-being.

In this post, we’ll dive into how being connected to a musical community can improve mental wellness, foster collaboration, and provide emotional support. After all, music isn't just something we do alone—it thrives in the connections we build with others.

Hey fellow pianists! We all know how much time and effort goes into practicing our pieces, but there’s something we often overlook: sleep. On any given day, the one constant answer I hear when I ask any School of Music student how they’re doing is “tired.” Not getting enough sleep is admittedly part of college life, but it can also be a hinderance to becoming our best as pianists. So let’s dive into why rest matters and how it can seriously boost your skills at the piano.

As musicians, we often find ourselves juggling a packed schedule of classes, rehearsals, and performances. It can be a thrill, but it can also lead to burnout if we’re not careful. Creating a balanced practice routine is essential for maintaining enthusiasm and effectiveness in your playing. Here are some tips to help you structure your practice sessions and keep that creative spark alive!

Hello, fellow music lovers! We are continuing our wellness series with a discussion on nutrition. As college musicians, we know how demanding our schedules can be—between classes, practice sessions, and performances, it’s easy to let our nutrition slide. It’s so much easier to eat on the go than to plan ahead, which means we tend to grab more processed, unhealthy options. But what you eat plays a huge role in how well you perform, both physically and mentally. Let’s break down how to fuel your body and mind so you can be your best self!

As a pianist, the emotional journey of creating music can often feel overwhelming. While I’ve dedicated countless hours to mastering technique and repertoire, it wasn't until I faced burnout that I truly understood the importance of mental wellness. (You can hear more about this experience in podcast episodes 3 and 4.) In this post, I’ll share five reasons mental wellness is crucial for pianists, incorporating personal experiences and research to illuminate how our mental health affects our music-making.

As a pianist, I’ve spent countless hours at the piano, pouring my heart into music while often unfortunately neglecting the physical aspects of my well-being. It wasn’t until I was well into middle age and began experiencing discomfort in my hands and fatigue in my back among other physical pains related to playing the piano that I realized the importance of physical wellness. In this blog post, I’ll explore the top five reasons physical wellness is crucial for pianists, drawing on personal experiences and research to highlight the impact of our physical health on our music-making.

In celebration of my 50^th birthday at the end of September, I have compiled a list of 50 life lessons for musicians (specifically for pianists). You can also listen to this on the latest episode of Coffee with Christina. Before we begin, I will admit that some of these are cheesy, and I apologize in advance. 😊 Life is too short to be serious all the time, though, so we’ll embrace the cheesiness and just go with it!

Have you ever met anyone who really loved being in school? I mean, being in school went beyond enjoyment – it was their passion? I have a friend who, last time we talked, was working on his 6^th master’s degree. SIXTH!!! I always considered myself to be a lover of learning, but I don’t know that I am dedicated enough to pursue 6 degrees! Three is enough for me, thank you very much.

How is it possible that summer is already over? Does anyone else feel like we just got out of school, and now it’s time to go back! If your summer was anything like mine, it was packed full.

I was able to visit my youngest daughter and her family twice and enjoyed the extra time with my growing grandsons. My oldest daughter lives about 40 minutes from me, so we see each other often. Having extra time with family is always my favorite part of summer break!

Several years ago, I began dreaming of starting a music academy that provided outreach to the community as well as training for young teachers in how to teach and run their own studios. At the time, I was running a small piano studio and had hired a couple of high school and college age young people to teach for me. I loved mentoring them and guiding them through all the aspects of running a studio that I had learned on my own.

Last week, I had the honor of spending a few days with the piano teachers of the IBO Music Academy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. We spent several hours each day discussing all things piano pedagogy. I don’t think I could have enjoyed the week more! The Dominican people are genuinely kind and thoughtful, and the teachers at the IBO Music Academy are the same.

This summer, I have had the privilege of presenting talks on maintaining calmness in the midst of stressful classroom situations. This post is a manuscript of sorts from this talk. Whether or not you are a teacher, you face stressful situations almost every day. It’s an unavoidable part of life unfortunately. I hope that this post will give you some ideas on how to navigate these situations with grace, poise, and clarity.