Happy Birthday, Musicalia!

Today Musicalia is officially 18 years old!

Way back in 1993, when Musicalia was born, I didn't own a computer or a DVD player or even a TV.  I did have a grand piano and a guitar though!   We still listened to cassette tapes while driving in our cars.  Flat screen TV's were unheard of and I was still teaching in the public schools as a primary grade classroom teacher. 

With the founding of Musicalia Education Services, I began to offer community music classes at the local scout hall and at a local rec center.  I created music programs for non-specialist teachers, travelling to their schools and doing in-service with the entire teaching staff.  I modelled this work directly with their students as well.  It was a scary and exhilarating time.  

Eventually, I resigned from the school district (and the union and regular paychecks) and made the leap back into self-employment and further study.  I travelled all over the world studying with teachers and mentors considered the best in their fields.   In addition to my private teaching I was consulting for school districts locally and providing workshops and speaking nationally.  I had a dream to open a private music school but wasn't sure how I would make that happen.  It did happen though.  

What a gift the whole process has been!

It has shaped my personality in ways I could never have imagined.

There have been many challenges and many successes.

I even walked away from Musicalia for a year only to discover that in my heart I did not want to be away from the children, the parents, the planning, the never-ending, never-ending-ness of it all.

I am still learning.

Sometimes I am still scared.  

Remarkably, I am still exhilarated!