Why I Couldn’t Chillax This Summer…
Why I Couldn’t Chillax this Summer…
Posted on October 6, 2021 by Paula Dreyer
My baby girl eating a mango.
Have you heard of this word, chillax? It’s a made up word, combining chill and relax. A few years ago, I was on a park date with a new mom friend and our daughters. Mom friend: someone you meet through your child who you eventually become friends with on a personal level. I didn’t know this new mom friend well at all and I was curious if we would become closer over time. While the girls were playing on the swing, she turned and said to me, “What are you up to this weekend? Are you going to go out or just chillax?” As soon as she said this, I knew we would become real friends.
I really wanted to chillax this summer. Honestly, I did! My plan was to teach Piano Flow and private students until the middle of July, head to Michigan to visit family, and then have all of August off. Easy enough, right!? And so European of me, as my neighbor pointed out.
How hard can it be!?
Even though I was ready to chillax, throughout the summer, I would get calls or emails asking if I would like to perform, or compose, or present. It started with a call from choreographer Kevin Jenkins, asking if I could record a Chopin Nocturne. Sure, no problem! How hard can it be? He also wanted to commission a new composition. Sure, sounds fun! Have you seen Kevin’s work? It’s breathtaking. Take a moment and spoil yourself while you soak in his genius. The way that he uses imagery astounds me. Did you know a group of dancers can look exactly like a sailboat floating on top of waves, or a forest of trees swaying in the wind?
Here’s the Chopin in action!
When the Santa Rosa Symphony emailed to ask if I can play the keyboard part for Jurassic Park, I couldn’t resist! Mind you, Santa Rosa, California is an eight hour drive from my home. I have played with them off and on for the last 20 years and I always love performing with such wonderful musicians in a world class concert hall- The Green Music Center.
I couldn’t pass that up and my thoughts were, “The music will probably just be a small section of Jurassic Park, and it’s *just* the keyboard part, not the piano part, so how hard can it be? Plus, it’s movie music! Easy peasy.”
And when Brazil’s Piracicaba Piano Pedagogy Conference invited me to perform, present, and teach in an online festive, I couldn’t pass that up! A full lecture recital recorded in my home to showcase my Central Star album? Of course! Teach some kids in Brazil my Little Gems piece? You betcha! Speak in a panel of composers- why not!? Present about the benefits of rote pieces? Right up my alley!! The National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy also invited me to speak on a panel about glorious rote pieces. I was able to speak with some of my favorite educators and we could have talked all day!
Dinosaurs and Reality
You might guess where all of this is going. Each one of these commitments that I originally thought sounded so easy, turned into a week long endeavor. Did you know it’s actually not that easy to record a full lecture recital in your home? Did you know it takes weeks to compose a 12 minute piece? My mouth dropped when I checked in with Kevin to ask the length he had in mind for a new piece. His answer, “Oh, anywhere from 10-13 minutes is fine.” After really diving in and giving it my all, Kevin and I were very happy with the music. I can’t wait to see what he did with it!
And Jurassic Park? Oh, that turned out to be the ENTIRE movie score (91 pages long). My part was very complex and involved manipulating sounds through a laptop. It required extreme focus and precision. We nailed it and it was such a special experience. The movie was projected on a huge screen and they muted all of the music. You could hear the dialogue while the symphony played live. And guess what? John Williams writes very complex, intricate music that requires hours of practice time. Who knew? Apparently, not me! Here’s a little clip from the performance that my sister recorded.
That’s My Flow
Why do I do all of this? The answer is simple. Each and every one of these commitments feeds my soul and taps into my higher purpose. It brings me so much joy to lift peoples’ souls and spirits through live music. Enriching childrens’ lives around the world through music makes me feel humble and grateful. Presenting to teachers about the magical world of rote pieces for beginners really lights me up! I am very discerning about what I commit to, as all obligations take precious time and take me away from other activities. When something exciting comes my way, I like to pounce on it when at all possible. Would I change anything about my summer? Absolutely not! Because all of it rejuvenates me on a deep level.
Finding Your Flow
I invite you to ask yourself this- “What lights me up?” What fills your soul with meaning and purpose? Do you have any wishes that keep whispering to you that you still haven’t explored? Like learning how to improvise? Or paint? Or learn a new language?
As I start the new teaching season, I cannot wait to continue helping people explore free flowing improvisation, while also being very mindful about their mindset, body awareness, and creativity through my 8 Month Intensive Piano Flow. This is a highly personalized, intimate group that offers great transformation in your relationship to the piano and in your overall well being. I recently offered a
free training
that gives a small sample of the Piano Flow experience. The training also includes some free sheet music. Reach out if you’d like to learn more about working with me to find your creative flow at the piano!
How do you Fill Your Cup?
Fear not, I still found plenty of time this summer to relax and rejuvenate while taking my children on nature walks, paddle boarding, floating the river, practicing yoga in Hawaii, and simply laying in the hammock. I would love to know, how did you relax this summer? How do you balance feeding your passions with the need to simply…. chillax?
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