A Moment to Catch My Breath.

An Introduction. A hello. And a farewell.

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Welcome to the new Caroline N. Winds Blog!

About six years ago, during a hurricane, I created a music account on Instagram.

I had no idea what I was doing, but I certainly tried. I knew that I wanted to keep myself accountable in my practice reflections and I figured I might try my hand at a public form of accountability.

Like most things in life, the content of the account has grown and evolved with me as I took my first steps toward becoming a music educator. At the beginning of my freshman year of college, I began formatting the posts in an open-letter fashion. Many were addressed to my future "Band Director" self - and while that's not necessarily the goal anymore - there's a certain familiarity that comes in knowing a dream can still be a dream, even if it's not your own.

While some of these posts have moved with the blog and many of those have “grown up” a bit, those familiar with the previously known Dear Band Director Me space may find this flow to be a little different.

There's something to be said for things past. And this is both the farewell to one chapter and the wonderful start of another. We are still very much so in the same book though. So in the style of things once loved, I figure a welcome letter is only fitting to bring us into this new space.

This is a hello to growth and a farewell to some pieces of times past.

Dear Friend,

For the first day.

You might've freaked out before hitting send on that email. That's alright.

Breathe.

You felt like you were on the verge of tears in that first rehearsal.

It's okay.

Your heart just wasn't ready for today.

Give yourself a moment.

Naturally, as musicians, we are individuals who want do it all:

The rehearsals.

The concerts.

The lessons.

Maybe teaching.

But as humans, we all have a wonderful thing called “limits.”

Do yourself a favor:

Relax your shoulders.

Stretch your muscles.

Have a glass of water.

Put on one of your favorite recordings - or maybe some white or green noise. I'm not going to tell you how to live your life.

But consider this a gentle reminder to let the mistakes roll like missed notes in a sight-reading session, cause you can't go back and get them.

You're trying.💙

And that's what counts.

Musically yours and forever cheering you on,

P. S.

On instagram, @Caroline.N.Winds remains a slice of solace -- a place where we redefine our differences and discuss our passions, but the Caroline N. Winds Blog will be here for every musician who needs a moment to breathe and feel understood. Letters may vary in who they are addressed to, but this is still the same safe space for all.💙