Lessons Learned

Two weeks ago, I received a phone call from a former teacher and close friend of mine.

He called to ask a favor of me. Marc rarely asks for favors.

Marc asked if I would nominate him for the a nationally renowned teaching award.

It was an honor to be asked. Of all of the students that Marc has taught, inspired and helped to grow up, the fact that he asked me to nominate him was a privilege.

I first officially met Marc at the age of 13, as I shook with nerves auditioning for the West Hartford Summer Arts Festival’s production of Mame in 2002. As musical director of the program at the time, Marc had a reputation for excellence—a reputation he still holds today. As soon as I was eligible, I auditioned for because I wanted to learn from Marc.

Now at the age of 23, I can only say how blessed I was to have been cast in the ensemble to begin my journey of years under Marc’s tutelage. Over the years, Marc was my summer director and my school-year teacher.

The nomination rules call for me to describe how one teacher changed the course of my life in a single moment of inspiration. Five hundred words to describe how this man changed my life. Awesome.

I decided the most effective strategy would be to spill out every thought on paper and whittle the essay down. Looking back on all the lessons, all of the moments, it was difficult to pinpoint one.

As I wrote about Marc, I realized how much I have grown as a person since I sat in his classroom. Because I sat in his classroom.

In every rehearsal, Marc settled for nothing less than perfection. He taught me about investment in oneself. He fought for me to give nothing less than 100 percent of myself every time I sang. He taught me to be present in the moment.

While I strove for perfection, he also taught me to enjoy the process and not work so hard. I know, I know. It sounds contradictory. In rehearsal you have to work and put in effort and focus. But at a certain point, you have to let go and allow yourself to feel and experience the music. Marc taught me to balance the two—to work towards a goal and to allow the results to come to me.

He helped me discover determination, passion, self-awareness and self-confidence.

Marc led me to another discovery when he asked me to write his nomination letter. He gave me the gift of retrospection.

As I reflected on his lessons that stuck with me, I remembered the ingredients that melded to make me. I am hugely pleased with the letter I submitted to the judging committee, but it was the process of writing that essay that was most valuable.

Take the time to recall a person who changed your life. Remember how they changed it. Reflect on the work it took to get to who you are and then let go and allow yourself to be that person.

Perhaps during the holidays, you may even take the time to write down who influenced you. Thank that person. Publicly, privately, it doesn't matter. Every now and then it’s good to remember where you came from before you continue where you are going. Get ready to start the new year with many more lessons to learn.