“I believe that being a music teacher gives me the opportunity to bring people together. In a time when our society often highlights our differences as negatives, one of my duties and privileges as a musician is to do the opposite; to find beauty in our differences and celebrate them. Experiencing art in all forms opens us up for personal growth. Finding a similarity between our own interpretation of a piece of music and another’s, or having the opportunity to discuss our different viewpoints, provides the opportunity to recognize our commonalities and celebrate our differences. In a broader sense, this practice helps us learn about ourselves and how we relate to others and in turn, hopefully helps us to relieve our inner and outer judgements, prejudices, and grow to be better members of society. Sharing a musical experience, whether in a concert venue, the lesson studio, or sharing a playlist with a new friend or colleague can open a pathway from one to another, allowing us to shine a light on the little pieces of ourselves we may find in our neighbor.”