Taking Small Chances Lead to Big Changes

The past few years have been a season of raising two little ones. Since they are both going to be in school this fall, it is time for me to reinvent myself. I will be reformatting my studio and my media platforms this year. 

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! 

A Trauma-Informed Piano Studio - My Journey into TBRI

A trauma-informed piano studio? Is there such a thing? 
Yes, because I am starting one.

What is a trauma-informed piano studio? What is the difference?
It simply means I am mindfully and deliberately creating a safe physical and emotional space for students who have experienced trauma. I have recognized the impact of trauma on the lives of my students (and mine). Relational trauma can only be healed through relationships. In using some techniques I have learned, I am able to give these students and myself a voice again.

Are you a counselor, therapist or what?
No, I am not a counselor or therapist, but I see myself as someone who can apply first aid. If someone is bleeding, I would hold pressure on the wound and call 911. If someone collapsed, start CPR and call 911. If someone is choking, do a Heimlich maneuver and call 911. I don't just stand by and not act in my capacity and training, just because I'm not an EMT!! So if a student is triggered, I could apply emotional first aid, (enough for me to continue the lesson hopefully) until he or she can get to professional help.

Why the paradigm shift? What made you change your studio? 
My own child had lots of behavioral challenges as a toddler. I knew it was not autism and not a spectrum disorder. I was stumped and felt completely helpless as a mom and a teacher. One day I caught part of a radio program by Focus on the Family, and it was featuring the late Dr. Karyn Purvis. She mentioned that rewiring the brain was possible for children with early childhood trauma. She listed some factors and my child fit the description. I started looking for a practitioner of Trust-Based Relational Intervention(R), developed by Dr. Purvis and Dr. David Cross of TCU.

I also had a few students whom I knew had childhood trauma so I had to learn to connect and relate to them as well. I worked with a therapist for weekly 18 months, individually and with my child. I had to put what I learned into practice for myself, at home and in the studio. The joy and laughter returned to my home and my studio.

What exactly is Trust-Based Relational Intervention(R) (TBRI)?
I'm going to post the definition of TBRI from http://child.tcu.edu 
"TBRI® is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI® is connection." 

There is a difference between fear-based behaviors and misbehavior?
Yes, there is. Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I don't. Research shows I only have between 3-20 secs to decide and respond to a behavior. Is the student dysregulated (hungry, thirsty, seeking or avoiding sensory input)? Are they getting anxious? Punishment-based correction tends to backfire, so I'm making the shift. Some of the ways I can respond include giving the child a voice, meeting physical needs and giving appropriate sensory input.

You do all that in a 30-minute piano lesson??? Where do you get the time?
You're right, where do I have the time? I have no time to waste for my instruction and music-making. I usually take the first few minutes of the lesson to teach self-regulation skills. If I respond to the dysregulation appropriately, I will be able to continue the lesson. If a piece of chewing gum is need for sensory input and to trigger a calming response, sure, why not? Better to chew gum than for me to be a punching bag ;) and we both stay connected to each other. Trust builds. We make music. It's a win-win!

New Additions

Since the last time I posted on this page, my life has changed. I had my first child, E in February 2014 and a second one, J came along this June. Our growing family necessitated a move to a bigger house which occurred in October. Busy is a word I am quite familiar with. Below are a few pictures of the little ones who are filling my life with joy!

This is Miss E. She was born premature at 34 weeks and has mild hearing loss as a result. She is doing well with her listening skills and speech. These are pictures of her when she was a year old.

This is Mr J, also born at 34 weeks like his sister. Never did I imagine lightning would strike twice. He is a healthy 4-month old with no complications. He loves his big sister. Below are a few pictures of us in the NICU before he was released to come home.

Recommended books related to Western Music in China

Some books to read:
Jonathan Stock - Musical Creativity in 20th Century China
Life of Abing, the folk musician.

Richard Kraus - Pianos and Politics in China
Written by a sociologist about the turmoil during the Cultural Revolution (1960s-1970s). Many of the pieces found in the collection "30 Famous Chinese Piano Pieces" are detailed in this book. The book is an invaluable companion to the score. The accounts of the pianists and composers are fascinating, but at times, tragic. A must read.

Sheila Melvin & JinDong Cai - Rhapsody in Red
A colorful history of how Western Classical music became Chinese. Although not a piano specific book, this gives a bigger picture of Western music in China with accounts of visits by foreign orchestras. This has information dating to the early dynasties of China including the stay of Mateo Ricci and the Jesuits. 

Liang Mingyue - Music of the Billion: An Introduction to Chinese Musical Culture
Socio-historic background, instrument descriptions, instrumental & vocal music including the Chinese opera.

Piano Transcription, Teresa Teng - The Moon Represents My Heart 月亮代表我的心 arr. Gordon Murray, p...

Another gem by Mr. Murray here. I have been looking for a good transcription of this popular song. I think this is the best version I have come across so far. Nostalgia hit home with this one and it brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful memories of my grandpa and grandma listening to this song. Hoping this arrangement will also be published someday.