I had the opportunity to play at a new artist-inspired BUS STOP LAST week, when my town celebrated our new Bus Shelter Art Installations.

I knew I was going to have fun … but I didn’t realize HOW much fun. I also didn’t realize how meaningful it would be to my understanding of the creative process — and why my own teaching and coaching at Hip Harp Academy has such a powerful affect on the members.

And that was all because  Pedi-cab driver, Jay, stopped by with his passengers — and joined me in a spontaneous duet that would show me just how powerful – and immediate – creative direction can be.  Take a look at the video first – and then I’ll tell you what hit me so hard about this.

My favorite moment of this whole duet is the moment — 22 seconds into the video – when Jay turns to his passengers and says “Oh, I couldn’t do that,” then turns around … and simply does it.

What’s so MEANINGFUL about this moment?

This is an example of why coaching is so powerful.

We’ve ALL experienced that: we see someone else do something – or we imagine something we want to do –  and we think “I could never do that.” 

And usually it stops right there … and we never can.

But what’s different in this clip is that he looked back at me.   And I knew he could do it.  I simply pointed to him with complete belief … and he did it.

In this tiny moment, his self-doubt lifted for a split second and – BOOM – he just did it.

This is the power of coaching, the power of someone who knows you can – who’s been there, who’s done it — and is going to point to you in total belief that you can.

This is why I have a year-long Academy where I coach over a hundred harp players from around the world.  This is why I have mentorship program where I work one-on-one a small group of elite musicians, supporting their creative work to develop new shows, recordings, careers, symphony programs. And this is why I work with my own coaches and mentors.

This is the power of someone else believing in you completely

That’s  why I LOVE this clip.  That’s why every time I watch that moment, I get chills – because that’s what happens when we think we can’t  – and we look someone in the eyes who knows we can … and suddenly we’re doing it.

If you play the harp, join me with over a hundred other harpists around the world in the Hip Harp Academy membership program — or apply for the 2019 Harness Your Muse mentorship program – because, whatever you dream of doing … yes, you can do it. And sometimes you need someone to show you the way and then say, “Do it.”

Harp Players! Creative Freedom starts HERE!

Do something for YOU in 2021

If you play the harp ... Join DHC's Hip Harp Academy

Deborah Henson-Conant's "Hip Harp Academy" online learning community is open for self-paced learning yearlong.  DHC personal guides each class in the Academy once a year.  Access to each guided class is limited to students who register before the 2nd week of class. Registration for the Fall Guided course, "HIp Harp TOOLKIT" is currently closed.  

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