WHY GREAT TEACHING MATTERS
Not many teens fall in love with opera. In fact, its probably one of the least popular musical genres for this age set.
As a toddler, John would sing his own tunes throughout in his California home. In fourth grade, his teachers would complain he would sing at school during non-music times. In middle school, he loved the serious nature of his middle school choir music class — especially learning songs in foreign languages.
But every journey has its bumps. In high school, one choral director ridiculed him several times for his natural powerful operatic voice and discouraged him from learning opera at his age. Most teens might have given up right there.
But it only takes that rare fantastic teacher who believes in you. Notices that something something in you. That teacher who encourages you to give it your all. To pursue your gift with all your might. And that’s what happened with John.
Today, at age 17, John is amongst a rare group of people - and perhaps the only teen ever - to say with a straight face “I have performed on all seven continents.”
And that’s because of great teachers.