Tim
Here’s in inspirational (and true!) story for you.
I was in my second year of teaching and a student came to about learning to play an instrument. I never want to turn away a student from music so of course I offered to enroll him in the program. That week several of his teachers came to me to talk about the student.
“You don’t want him. He’s not a very bright student.”
“He’s learning disabled.”
“Good luck!”
Really! That’s what his classroom teachers were telling me! I couldn’t believe it. I appreciated the background information, despite the negativity, and took him as a student anyway.
This student was so polite and eager to learn it seemed like the teachers had to be talking about somebody else. After a week or so we found the right instrument for him. He didn’t know it but he chose the same instrument I did when I was his age. He was a freshman in high school and beginning instrumental studies for the first time in his life. Many people would say that high school is too late to start if you want to be a professional musician. I disagree since that’s when I started.
Anyway, he took lessons from in school and soon decided to study privately with me. Shortly after I got a call from his mother.
“Mr. Tambroni, I’m a little worried about Tim, his school studies, and well, us at home. He’s getting up at 5 every morning to practice and practices every night.”
WOW! I was floored. What’s the problem? Obviously he needs to pay attention to his studies.
Time went on to finish high school at a performing arts school, get a music degree from McGill, and become a professional musician living in Europe.
