Do you ever look at your calendar and just sigh? Or quiver in trepidation? Everyone is busy these days, but spring is super-busy as piano teachers. You may be preparing students for Awards in Excellence auditions, plus looking ahead at Achievement Day requirements. We’re counting up events for Awards Plus applications, not to mention preparing for our own spring recitals. And that doesn’t even include family, school, and community obligations. It’s very easy to feel overwhelmed.
Time to remember Lokahi, the Hawaiian concept of keeping life in balance. Three triangle points of mind, body, and spirit need to stay in harmony with each other. Lokahi contains an element of sustainability, of harmony between people, nature, and the divine. It is essential for a healthy life and connections with the land and with other people. When I find my mind getting overburdened with responsibilities, it’s time to step back and see what I need to do to restore balance to my life. Am I neglecting connections with people I care about? Do I need time alone to take a walk and breathe in the scent of those lovely citrus blossoms? Is my spirit in need of a recharge, whatever that looks like to you?
As we’re preparing students for spring events, we need to teach all three points of the triangle. We teach their minds, helping them read, memorize, and prepare mentally for performances. We teach their bodies, posture, hand position, fluidity and technique. We teach their spirits, helping them play expressively and understand the rich traditions of the music. Different aspects will come easier to different students. I have some who excel at memorizing notes but struggle to play with passion. I have others who display more passion than correct technique. My job is to help them keep all aspects of learning music in balance. As they become well-rounded musicians, they can find joy in music for the rest of their lives, regardless of what the future brings. We are so privileged to play a role in their development, as musicians and as people. Our role is vital to these students—thank you for all you do for them!
Lorri McHardy
Read the full March 2026 DVMTA Newsletter
Time to remember Lokahi, the Hawaiian concept of keeping life in balance. Three triangle points of mind, body, and spirit need to stay in harmony with each other. Lokahi contains an element of sustainability, of harmony between people, nature, and the divine. It is essential for a healthy life and connections with the land and with other people. When I find my mind getting overburdened with responsibilities, it’s time to step back and see what I need to do to restore balance to my life. Am I neglecting connections with people I care about? Do I need time alone to take a walk and breathe in the scent of those lovely citrus blossoms? Is my spirit in need of a recharge, whatever that looks like to you?
As we’re preparing students for spring events, we need to teach all three points of the triangle. We teach their minds, helping them read, memorize, and prepare mentally for performances. We teach their bodies, posture, hand position, fluidity and technique. We teach their spirits, helping them play expressively and understand the rich traditions of the music. Different aspects will come easier to different students. I have some who excel at memorizing notes but struggle to play with passion. I have others who display more passion than correct technique. My job is to help them keep all aspects of learning music in balance. As they become well-rounded musicians, they can find joy in music for the rest of their lives, regardless of what the future brings. We are so privileged to play a role in their development, as musicians and as people. Our role is vital to these students—thank you for all you do for them!
Lorri McHardy
Read the full March 2026 DVMTA Newsletter
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