When did “practising” become a dreaded chore? Seriously. Music practice has somehow become synonymous with work, chores, and major eye rolls. Just another task on the “to-do” list… IF you ever get around to it. 😉
But why? Why are we so resistant to practising? What happened to the fun, the excitement, the novelty of the arts? How have our kids aligned practising with household chores and homework? Music practice has been framed as hard work and boring. Nothing more.
It’s fascinating, isn’t it?
Challenge is good. Discomfort is good. It’s how we grow and reach the next level. It’s how we learn to TRUST and BELIEVE in ourselves.
How we approach practising with our kids makes a huge difference!
This is why I encourage creating an artistic practice: a regular and consistent time set aside each day to connect with our art – to practice.
An artistic practice routine helps to create motivation. Action PRECEDES motivation.
Do you know what else activates motivation? Inspiration. 💫
You have to SEE it to BE it. 💥
We can’t assume that children understand what it means to be an artist or a musician. They need to SEE it in action (in many forms).
Here are a few ideas:
- Take your kids to concerts and shows – both community and professional. Let them see artists doing their thing.
- Watch YouTube videos of professionals performing, practising, and creating. Rehearsals are so much fun to watch!
- Connect with local artists. Encourage your kids to ask questions about their experiences, routines, and training.
- Seek out live music events in your area or art shows.
A little inspiration goes a long way! 💕
In this week’s “Impact of the Arts” interview, my 7-year-old daughter Vera was interviewed by Amelia. I promise, I did not influence or prepare Vera in any way. These are her exact words and feelings about music and the arts.
Vera LOVES practising! Truly. She sings all of the time and goes to the piano regularly to practice without prompting.
Why?
Because Vera SEES what is possible – every. single. day. Vera is surrounded by music. She has the privilege of living in a music academy (literally!). The older students have become her role models. So naturally, she wants to work to improve and is excited for a challenge, but she also finds comfort and solace in music. It’s her happy place. It’s her home. It’s how she expresses herself.
I challenge you this summer to provide your kiddos with a little inspiration to help motivate them to practice. Show them what’s POSSIBLE!
Enjoy Vera’s interview below. 🤍
Keep singing,
xo Andrea “see what’s possible” Donais
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Recently, I got to interview Vera Donais!! Vera told me all about her experiences in the arts and how the arts have affected her life so far.
Vera started taking piano, voice and art lessons when she was only four years old! She began ballet lessons as well as joined the Mini Maestros Singers at Donais Studios when she was five. Vera now takes voice, piano and art lessons at the studio 🙂
Vera has always had music involved in her life through her parents’ passions and career paths, and this engaged her from as young as she can remember. She recalls dancing around singing “Do you Want to Build a Snowman” from her favourite childhood movie Frozen. Vera says Anna and Elsa influenced her to take singing lessons.
Vera’s favourite performance that she has given was when she sang “I See the Light” from Disnsey’s Tangled with her dad accompanying her on the guitar. She said “I really liked singing it and being right next to him on stage- it was really fun!”
In our interview, I asked Vera how she feels she has grown and through her art and she said that she feels “Going through this [lessons and choir] has made me more confident to perform.” She admitted that every time she performs she does get a little scared, but it gets easier with every performance.
Vera takes art lessons as well as sings with Mini Maestros, and I asked her what her favourite thing about each is and she had these to say:
“ I really like singing in a group because it is nice to collaborate and work together to get it right! You can help each other sing the right notes.”
“I love art because I like painting and I have been painting since I was 1. It’s fun, messy and less structured so you can do what you feel!”
I asked how the arts influence her life every day and Vera said she is ALWAYS singing! She says her body naturally does it and she has to think about it to control it and stop singing. Vera sings while she’s doing homework or tasks and also while she practices piano. Vera said this about her practice routines,
“I want to practice so I get better. I love practising music” – I agree that practising your art form is truly so rewarding!
~An interview by Amelia DePiero, Donais Studios