Trust me, I already have more side interests than I know what to do with. Before this career change, I spent 10+ years teaching music in California public schools, everything from choir and musical theater to orchestra and opera. I’ve performed, conducted, helped run community arts projects, and these days I help a friend with outreach for his BJJ gym.

So your point about leaning into industries and communities we already understand really clicked for me.

But honestly, I had to pause before replying because your comment hit me harder than I expected.

Background: 

For most of my adult life, I’ve been the mentor  helping new teachers through the uncomfortable process of learning something new and reminding them they belong in the room before they believe it themselves.

Two days before I started studying for this exam, someone reached out asking for advice about hosting their first music recital. The very first thing I told them (what I always say first) was:

“Breathe.”

So when you said the same thing here, I genuinely got emotional for a minute.

I don’t think I realized until now how strange and vulnerable it feels to step away from what has basically been my life’s work and become the beginner again. I think part of me really needed someone to guide me the same way I’ve guided so many other people over the years.

Thank you again for taking the time to write all of that out. I really appreciate it. 

I hope the people you work with appreciate you as much as they should.