From my elementary days to my current college days, whether it was for a short time or several years; if you ever taught me music, I'm here to say thank you.

Thank you for doing what you do, for building your life around teaching music to people like me. Thank you for pouring everything you are into what you do. Thank you for the sacrifices you make. Thank you for choosing to do this instead of something you could be making more money doing. Thank you for the time you spent with me instead of your own families. Thank you for helping me grow in my talents and for everything you taught me, and are still teaching me. Thank you for being patient with me and not cringing when I messed up or hit a sour note. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I slacked off and acted like I didn't care. Thank you for believing in me, even during the times I didn't believe in myself. Thank you for throwing me into things that were outside of my comfort zone and I made me question whether I would succeed or not. Thank you for seeing more in me than I saw sometimes and knowing that I was capable of more than I thought I was.

Thank you for all of the times I didn't get my way when I didn't get the solo, the leadership position, or the special part that I wanted. Thank you for teaching me that in life, I'm not always going to get my way, that I'm not entitled to anything. Thank you for teaching me that nothing that is worth it comes easy. That only with hard work, countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears do you obtain success and achieve your goals. Thank you for teaching me that failure is okay and that it's not final. Thank you for showing me what tough love is and also what compassion and grace look like. Thank you for knowing which one you needed to use and when. Thank you for not only wanting me to be a better musician but also a better individual by the time I was no longer under your direction. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do the thing I love the most, and for the incredible relationships and memories that happened because of these opportunities.

Thank you for every moment; for every rehearsal, class period, concert, musical, competition, and trip. Thank you for every smile, laugh, and tear. Thank you for every measure, every dance step, and every note. These words aren't, and really no words would ever be adequate enough to fully describe the impact you've made on my life and to give you the full appreciation you deserve. I am who I am today because of you and I'm forever indebted to you. Thank you.