It kind of feels like all of a sudden that I am now up to 3 (full) days of private piano teaching at the Music and Arts store in Dover, Delaware (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays). And this is my limit, so I can continue to be available to gig on the other days. It wasn't the easiest decision to step away from my weekly Tuesday night trek to Glenwoods/Stanford Grill, in Columbia, MD, to play with my buds Amy Shook and Scott Silbert. But in another way, it was, because I knew it was time, even if a hint of melancholy lingers. So I'll continue to face forward, even with some degree of deja vu in my path. 

It has been literally decades since I've had more that just a small handful of  private students (if any at all, while being largely consumed with gigging). But back in the day, I was all over it. When I turned 17, and could receive a driver's license in New Jersey, the possibilities opened way up for me. First off, I no longer had to rely on getting get rides to gigs. And it didn't take long before that made a big difference. But an even bigger game changer at the time, was to put an ad in the local paper for in-home piano lessons. Almost immediately the teaching schedule began filling up. And soon the ad went away because of referrals. Also, and believe it or not, I hung on to the paper routes for awhile, that I'd had for quite some time already (with 2 competing newspapers simultaneously). Somewhere, I still have the steno book that I used to track income; with receipts from gigs, private students, and paper routes. Kinda funny. And perhaps kinda ridiculous. but that's me.

So now, just turning 65, I'm lunging back to my teenage approach to things, it seems, save the paper routes. In one way, having taught in grade school and college (even if in a private school, and as an adjunct lecturer), going back to the music store model could feel like a demotion. But I love working one on one inspiring students of all levels, including beginners, and including kids. I'm not questioning that I'm where I'm supposed to be; in this area, or anywhere else on my path. Note to self, as things continue to evolve, stay present   :)  

Lately, this journal/blog has become the place for my more esoteric musings. Feet on the ground for this post, however. Though I haven't been specific about circumstances in more recent entries, it has been obvious (to many, at least) that things are evolving in my world. The foundation underneath me is not shifting, but the structures built on it are being rearranged. It continues to be a work in progress, and a story unfolding, even as I watch it all happen as a participant/observer. Some years ago, I arrived the place where I purposed to be, at least, very hesitant in forming conclusions. It has been helpful to watch circumstances change and providence unfold around me, while being able (to some extent, at least) to keep an open mind and heart about it all. And, at this point, I can share some of what I am seeing more clearly; particularly, a shift to a more robust teaching schedule, and away from pretty much exclusively relying on performing (gigging) for a living. Have been gradually wrapping my head (and heart) around this transition for the last few months. So, starting in 2 weeks, I'll adding a third day to my teaching schedule at the Music and Arts location in Camden (greater Dover) Delaware. This is a good thing, and will expand more on this in a future post. The more important thing to highlight here, is the pulling back (somewhat) of the gigging, evidenced by ending my Tuesday night steady at Glenwood's in Columbia, MD with Scott Silbert and Amy Shook. Not always the easiest thing to do, but when a page turns in the story, I need to turn with it. So, in a few nights, on Tuesday May 6, I'll make my last (regular) trip over there, opening up the night for teaching thereafter. If you visit my website schedule, you may notice it a bit lighter, or less intense, than before. And, despite all the mixed feelings around this (and that I will miss sharing music, merriment and shenanigans with Amy and Scott), it feels right. One step at a time.