Reflecting on my journey, I poured my heart and soul into becoming "the best musician I could possibly be." I worked tirelessly, going above and beyond to hone my craft and achieve more than I ever thought possible. That drive then evolved into a pursuit of being "the best music educator I could possibly be." I dedicated countless hours, taking extra steps to deepen my knowledge and enhance my teaching. Post classroom teaching, my focus shifted to becoming "the best vocal pedagogue I could possibly be," a goal I relentlessly pursued throughout grad school with unwavering commitment and determination. Despite all this effort and achievement, I now find myself navigating a slight career change, with a mix of confusion and anticipation about the path ahead.
Reminder: You are not disappointing a former version of yourself if your interests change.
So here I am now: a woman who once wanted to earn a doctorate and make a name for herself in the field. While this could still be in the cards, my perspectives have changed. After going through school and watching many of my colleagues, who didn’t put in as much effort or time, get the same degree, I’ve come to realize it’s not worth it (at least, right now). I’ve seen the same credentials handed out with varying levels of commitment, and it’s shifted my perspective. With this in mind, I needed to find a different path—not just for learning more, but for committing to something that truly drives me.
It took some time, but I’m genuinely happy with where I am now—finding my own teaching style, singing freely, working with little ones, and helping older students love their voices and find joy in their own sound. Long story short, I’m done with over-planning my future—it’s mostly led to anxiety and stress for me and those around me. So here’s my advice: Stop doing it! Live in the present and focus on yourself. You’re not here to compare yourself to others or to please your former mentors. Your path is uniquely yours, and no one can take that away from you.
With gratitude,
T
