Our 2025 Winter Holiday Recital was filled with wonderful music, but what stayed with me most was not any particular piece or performance. It was the experience of watching a room full of people pause, sit quietly, and give their full attention to one child at a time.

In a world that moves quickly and constantly pulls at our attention, this is no small thing. For a few minutes, each student was seen and heard without interruption. No multitasking. No rushing. Just listening. Just a room full of people offering their presence. That kind of focused attention sends a powerful message: your child matters, and what they are sharing is worth listening to.

I also want to acknowledge that some students left the recital feeling disappointed in their performance. This is a very normal part of learning and growing, especially for children who care deeply. While it's a real bummer to feel discouraged after a performance, it may help to remember that the audience most likely experienced something very different. What families and friends saw was courage, effort, and a child willing to be vulnerable and share something meaningful