One more for the old cognitive dissonance file.
I want my students to know that there is no hurry on achieving their dreams. If it takes a little longer to complete your music degree, or to learn to belt an A, or to find your musical community, that’s okay. We have all this pressure from our society’s love of prodigies, but the truth is, we can take the time we need. There’s no hurry.
On the other hand, I want my students to hurry up! Time is short, and we have an opportunity to make music together! The idea of giving anything less than our all to the few short moments we have together is so frustrating. The standard pace is for chumps, and we’re not chumps – so hurry up and do the work!
Do these seem diametrically opposed? Maybe. Do I believe them both fully at the same time. I do.