Advice from Yamaha Master Educator Daniel Berard

I’ve been very fortunate to have had wonderful influences, both personally and professionally, and there was a point in my career when I thought that if I just copied those people, their words, their gestures, their mannerisms, etc., I would be successful.

However, in trying to be someone or something I thought I should be, I was missing what I brought that was unique and authentic.

The most authentic version of you can be the most influential version of you. It allows you to bring your best to your students, while showing them that you are learning and growing all the time as well. And that, to me, is where the most dynamic learning occurs.

This article originally appeared in the 2017 V2 issue of Yamaha SupportED. To see more back issues, find out about Yamaha resources for music educators, or sign up to be notified when the next issue is available, click here.