It was hot—really hot as I wound my way up the Historic Columbia River Highway to the Royal School of Church Music Retreat. The river glistened in the evening light as I entered the beautiful grounds of the Menucha Retreat Center in Corbett,
Does Your Audience Resonate with You?
Certain ideas, stories, and music resonate with us. They move us. They make us feel good when we hear or read them. Why? Because they VALIDATE our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Resonance is validation. Something inside us stands up and says “YES! I know
JOY—the ultimate motivator
Behind every great success is great motivation. What’s your motivator? An external reward or a pure JOY of doing? The final moments of the BRAVO Youth Orchestra Winter term had finally come. All week the kids were wound up and excited. I would have imagined that the final
Don’t let your ______ hold you back
What word fills in your blank? fear past failures self-imposed limitations attachments past habits preconceptions instrument talent situation relationships I was wailing away on a friend’s cello when suddenly he said – “There! Stop! Now play that exact same passage on your own instrument with
What did you give when you gave your last performance?
This holiday season, the spirit of giving is everywhere. In comparison to all those who are able to get out holiday cards, cookies, and thoughtful gifts for everyone—I feel woefully behind and overwhelmed. My wife is one of those amazing women
The Thief that Stole My Song
I’m going to tell you the story about the thief that stole my song (my deep joy of music), the journey I took to find it again, and the unexpected treasure I discovered. But let me start in the middle,
The “Perfect Joy” of Music
This morning I met with someone about my Transform Your Performance online course, which is built on the foundation of inner resonance and our tangible joy of music. On the way home, I was listening to a story of St. Francis and Perfect Joy. As St.
Are You a Spiritually Independent Musician?
Is your spirituality tucked safely out of harms way? Have you ever yearned to bring into the secular world of the Arts the deep spiritual truths that you have experienced? Centuries ago we created a barrier separating the Arts and Sciences from the
Is Your Music Magnetic?
And if so, what does it attract? I recently heard Chanticleer live for the first time, and was thrilled by what their songs evoked in me. It was as if they were a huge magnetic force that pulled out different
Music, Feeling, and the Spiritual
You enter the hall, the house lights dim, the players hush, and the music begins. You enter the club and are engulfed in sound. You crank the car stereo as you drive down the road. You tune out the world