I Quit Being a Classical Pianist … Over a Pantsuit
So - I always thought that I was destined to be on large stages and share my interpretations with the world. I had big dreams and I would have stopped at nothing to get them.
Fast forward to two conservatory degrees and a global pandemic (sorry for bringing that up haha) … I just realized that that was absolutely NOT what I wanted.
I remember a clear moment when I realized I did not want to be on the stage full time or even part time … this was when I was at a competition (it will not be named) where they said they would “revoke my first place win” because I wore a pantsuit instead of a dress.
It was in that moment - I packed my bags mentally and realized that this is not for me. This is not the type of space that I want to be in.
I then pivoted to being more on the administrative side, which is/was mentally better but that’s also a story for another day - I did end up quitting a job in the middle of the Aegean Sea.
However, now I have entered a period where I say “no more” and I am completely fed up and tired with the industry. There are so many beautiful things that it brings: community, builds dedication, creates networks etc. But we must also confront the deeply horrific and challenging aspects of the industry.
So I quit because I was fed up but now I channel that into teaching at the Uni level - teaching my students to always think forward regarding jobs/money, their mental, and ensuring that they have a positive social impact on the world AND with this blog taboo.
I play piano sometimes - here and there … but it is always in spaces that I feel like I have a large amount of control over what I can play, wear, and that I can bring my full self to. I also try to create and promote spaces that also do the same.
I vowed that whatever artistic endeavors I have going forward - they must have that space to be able to allow people to show up as their full selves AND I also want to bring some social change to the world … whether its a piano key OR a key-stroke.
