This week I had the pleasure of participating in the 2012 International Women's Brass Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  It was a wonderful week of great concerts, great music and fabulous people, and a very special experience all around -  for example, I never would have expected to see someone as world renowned as Abby Conant sitting front row centre for one of my recitals! I had a great time performing in a solo and quartet setting, and participating in so many great discussions.  Two things really stuck out for me this week: there were a large number of fantastic new commissions and premieres, and all were  interesting, accessible and encouraging for the future of brass music! Also, I was excited to see that the conference was not about affirming that women can play brass instruments too, but that it was instead a celebration of great concerts and great music, and it happened to feature fantastic women onstage!  Congratulations to Deanna Swoboda and Lin Foulk for their great

 I recently read a book by Brené Brown entitled The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to be and Embrace Who You Are. I had been first introduced to Brown from her TedTalk, and my teacher recommended the book, who knew I, like many others, struggle to find the balance between achieving greatness and our perfectionism. There were a few points that she made in the books that I really loved.  As a young professional, still (and forever) learning, I too hate to define myself by my profession or give the “sound-bite” answer. Yes, I am a student, yes I am a hornist, but I also teach, have worked in administration, have sang professionally, and make really good cake!  So don’t ask me what I do! As Brown pointed out: “[a] thing that gets in the way of meaningful work is the struggle to define who we are and what we do in an honest way.  In a world that values the primacy of work, the most common question that we ask and get asked is “What do you do?”  Brown`s answer is now “How much time do you have?” and I quite like it!  Bottom line, who we are is infinitely more important than what we do, so we should embrace ourselves and not let ourselves be defined by what we happen to be doing at a particular moment in time. 

                Brown speaks a lot about creativity, and the need for it in our lives.  Here were a couple important points she made:
1.       The only unique contribution that we will ever make in this world will be born of our creativity. 
2.       If we want to make meaning, we need to make art. 
If we are ever challenged about our profession or why we do what we do (I think many of us remember fighting with our families about becoming a doctor or a musician!), here is exactly how we justify why we do what we do:  we are making our contribution to the world; our lives have meaning, and let’s go ahead and embrace it!  As Harold Thurman said, "Don’t ask what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

The last point that really stuck with me is the need for creativity and fun in our lives.  She points out that the people that live the most wholehearted, happy lives are those that incorporate play in their routine.  In North America especially, we are so driven by deadlines and the constant need to climb higher and do more, that we forget to have fun. By taking a few hours every week, incorporating  play into our routines – joining kids on the playground, painting a picture or having a board game night – we can become happier, more successful, more productive members of society, and we remember what is most important in our lives – not what we do to, but how to live!  I definitely recommend her TedTalks to anyone interested in these ideas, and the book is also a powerful tool if we want to live our fullest lives.