It took two more years of asking and begging before my mom gave in and I started violin lessons. To this day, Itzhak Perlman remains my most favorite violinist, and I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't play the violin.
To her credit, my mom never, ever forced me to practice. Sure there were many, many, many times when I didn't want to take out my violin and work on a scale or a piece. And I know I could certainly have done more practicing as a child and young adult. Even now I don't practice as much as I probably should. But growing up as a Suzuki learner and having my mom attend every violin lesson, take notes, and essentially practice "with" me made the sessions a bonding experience for us. There also *may* have been some after-practice treats (2-3 pieces of red licorice) waiting for me on the kitchen table once I put in some solid effort.
I'm so glad to have something in my life that allows me to access music in a profoundly personal way. I also enjoy sharing music with others, both as a performer and as a listener. The engagement level that music requires is accessible to all of us. We may not realize it, but there's a reason we become obsessed with a song, or an artist, or, in my case at 3, a musical instrument. It is because at its core, music connects us to the larger world and makes us feel like we're part of something bigger than ourselves. Music can also be extremely personal, and provide us with the necessary emotions when our words don't suffice. I hope I never stop playing the violin, and I hope that everyone has access to music in a way that speaks to them. Lots of things can be easy or hard, but music is a challenge worth pursuing in whatever way helps us learn more about ourselves and the world around us.
