At the nudging of a friend, I made a few small changes in 2018 and took some big steps in my personal and professional life. I had not submitted conference proposals or job applications for a long time. She said it was time to practice and give it a shot. It is okay not to be accepted. Just try again. Well, look what it has lead to this year:
1. The conference proposal was accepted. I presented a poster on Trust-Based Relational Intervention(R) at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Conference, Spokane WA in March.
2. Guest lectures for piano majors at the Oklahoma Baptist University and the University of Central Oklahoma on the topic of trauma-informed piano pedagogy.
3. I have started performing again after a long hiatus. Starting small with church and informal events. The anxiety-reduction and focus techniques I have learned benefit me.
4. I am entering students in ABRSM and RCM piano exams. I am one of the few, if not the only teacher in the greater OKC area offering exam preparations for these internationally recognized certificates. I am considering sitting for one of their diploma exams in the near future.
5. I was accepted to the Trust-Based Relational Intervention(R) Practitioner training in OKC. I will begin my coursework July 9 and expect to be certified by the end of September. This was my second application.
6. I will be presenting a lecture on the same topic at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Lombard IL this summer. I am very honored to be selected for the main sessions in this conference. They saved the best for last, as I am one of the final presenters.
7. MTNA has requested that I reformat my poster for publication. I am thrilled. I never imagined I would publish anything this quickly.
Yes. Taking small chances, making small changes can have a MAJOR impact! Stay posted!
