Our 16th Annual Holiday Soirée is coming up on Sunday, December 6, and it's one of my favorite Conservatory traditions! Each year, our students and families gather at Maria's Italian Kitchen to celebrate the holidays, enjoy music and good food, and support our community. I can’t believe we’ve been doing this for sixteen years!
Some of our students will be performing for the very first time. Others have been doing this for years. And while we love hearing them perform, there's something equally important happening.
They're learning to share something they've worked hard on, manage their nerves, and discover what they're capable of.
As parents, we play an important role in making these experiences positive ones.
Help them prepare without adding pressure
Of course we want our children to do well! But sometimes, without realizing it, our encouragement can create unnecessary pressure.
Imagine telling your child, "Make sure you practice! You don't want to make mistakes in front of everyone!"
Your intention is to help them prepare. But now they may be more worried about making mistakes than enjoying their music.
Instead, focus on what they can control.
"Let's work on that tricky section your teacher showed you."
Or ask, "How are you feeling about your performance?"
If they're nervous, acknowledge it. Even professional musicians get nervous before performing! The goal isn't necessarily to eliminate nervousness, but to help children feel prepared and supported.
And remember, our Holiday Soirée is a relaxed, welcoming performance experience. Students can use their sheet music. This isn't about perfection.
Making mistakes is part of performing
Imagine your child is playing beautifully when suddenly they hit a wrong note.
They stop. Take a moment. Find their place.
And keep going.
That's something worth celebrating!
When we're practicing, we stop and work through mistakes. But performing is different. We're learning how to share our music and recover when something doesn't go as planned.
It's one reason we provide performance opportunities throughout the year. Confidence develops through experience, and learning to continue after a mistake is a valuable skill, both in music and in life.
What you say afterward matters
This is something I learned from my own daughter.
When she was little, I used to give her constructive feedback immediately after her performances. As a performer and music educator, I thought I was helping her improve.
One day, she kindly told me how it made her feel. What she really wanted was to enjoy the moment and feel celebrated.
We talked about it and agreed to save the constructive feedback for another day.
That conversation made me a better parent and teacher.
It reminded me that there's a time for teaching and a time for simply celebrating our children.
So after your child's performance, before offering suggestions, try asking:
"How did you feel up there?"
"What was your favorite part?"
Or simply, "I loved watching you perform!"
And then listen.
If they're excited, celebrate with them. If they're disappointed, let them express that, too. You don't have to convince them that everything was perfect.
There will be time to discuss what they can improve. But first, let them enjoy what they've accomplished.
Sometimes, what our children need most is to feel seen and appreciated.
A celebration that gives back
Our Holiday Soirée is more than a performance. It's a beloved tradition that brings our musical community together, and it's also an opportunity to give back.
Through our nonprofit, we're working to make music education accessible to more children and families, including those who otherwise couldn't afford lessons. Our fundraising supports educational programs, financial assistance, and scholarship opportunities.
When our families come together for events like this, they're helping us bring those opportunities to more children.
I love that our students get to share the music they've learned while helping make it possible for another child to begin their own musical journey.
And that's really what our mission is about. We believe every child deserves access to quality music education, regardless of their family's financial circumstances.
Join us December 6!
We hope you'll join us at Maria's Italian Kitchen in Woodland Hills for our 16th Annual Holiday Soirée.
Come enjoy a meal, listen to our wonderful students, and celebrate the season while supporting a meaningful cause.
And whether your child is performing for the first time or the tenth, remember that those few minutes of music represent so much more than the notes they play.
They represent the practice, the challenges, the discoveries, and all the little accomplishments along the way.
That's something worth celebrating!
