High Standards & Lots of Grace: An Interview with Abigail Peterson

In 2018-2019 I cohosted the Beyond the Music Lesson Podcast with Abigail Peterson a violinist, teacher, and parent of two young violinists. Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with Abigail and hear what music and practice at home have been like for her and her family for the past eighteen months. We also discussed motivation, learning what keeps each child interested in practice, and the importance of keeping high standards but giving lots of grace. 

Abigail Peterson is a violinist, Suzuki teacher, and parent from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She performs, teaches in her own studio, practices with her own two boys. I love how she describes herself on her website as having a “big heart for teaching students about the importance of education, community, and individuality.”  

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Here are some of my big takeaways from this episode:

1. Having something to practice FOR is so powerful. 

2. Each of our students and children is so different and finding ways to tailor our approach to their needs really helps as we practice.

3. Keep your standards high but give lots of grace – an important lesson from the last 18 months. 

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Highlights include:

• “I put music education on the same plane as any other school subject like math and reading. And I really do think it’s that important. But also there’s the component of the gift that music is.”
• “This (music) is just something that our kids are going to do pretty much on the same level as any other school subject, but then it’s also a gift for them as well.”

• “I put music education on the same plane as any other school subject like math and reading. And I really do think it’s that important. But also there’s the component of the gift that music is.”
• “This (music) is just something that our kids are going to do pretty much on the same level as any other school subject, but then it’s also a gift for them as well.”
• “The standards don’t need to be lowered, but I think what this year has taught me is that we all need grace and that it’s ok if you have a time period where practice is hard.”

Resources: 

Find Abigail Peterson on Instagram @abellimentoviolin

Find Abigail Peterson’s website: https://www.abellimentoviolin.com

Sign up for one of the upcoming Time to Practice Pep Talks HERE

Reach out: TimetoPracticePodcast@gmail.com 

Find Christine on Instagram @SuzukiTriangle 

What I’m currently reading: The Music Teachers’ Guide to Big Motivation by Ruth Meints

To get a full transcript of my conversation with Abigail, Click Here 

You can listen to the full podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts and more.

Share this article or the podcast with someone you think would benefit from hearing it! 

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What resonated with you? I’d love to hear how you can relate to our conversation, or how your experience varies, in the comments below: