When people hear that you are going to school to pursue music performance, they are very skeptical. There will be a few people that think it's awesome and fully support you, but others will not be so keen on the idea. They will not fully understand what that degree is and why someone would want to spend the rest of their life performing. There are many ways to respond to people who have little knowledge of the degree you are pursing.

1. "Thank goodness I am the one pursuing the music degree and not you!"

It shouldn't matter what others think about your degree as long as you are in it 100 percent. People will always say “Well, if it were me…” My response to them: it isn't you! I am my own person. This is something that I am passionate about and I will make it work and happen because I have the drive to do so. Pursuing a degree in music isn't easy, but it is extremely worthwhile and rewarding. Not only will you develop as a stronger musician, you will develop life skills such as hard work, patience and diligence.

2. "I would rather be happy with this degree than miserable with another degree."

Choose a degree that you are passionate about. Do you really want to be stuck doing something for the rest of your life that you hate doing? Work shouldn't feel like work -- it should be enjoyable. Yes, you will have weeks as a performer where the rehearsals seem endless, the practice sessions never end and you fingers go numb from playing so much, but that dedication will take you to great places.

3. "It's not always about the money."

When choosing any degree, it shouldn't be about the money. If you choose a degree just because it pays well, chances are you will become miserable as time goes on and regret your earlier decision. To survive in this world, a person obviously needs money. There are many places that a performance major might work. They might get a job as an orchestra musician, as a private music teacher, or get the chance to do a national tour. The options are limitless and new opportunities are always becoming available.

4. "Wow, I have never heard that before!"

The most common responses when you tell someone you are a performance major are going to be…

1. "How will you support yourself?"
2. "I hope you have a backup plan."
3. "So, like, you just play? That sounds so easy."
4. *judgmental look*
5. "What will you do with that degree?"

5. "Watch me succeed."

The best way to prove someone wrong is to show them what you’ve got. You can say all day how great you are and how you will get somewhere, but to actually do it takes it to a whole new level. Show them that the countless number of hours you spent practicing have paid off. You have given it your all to get to the point in your music career that you are at now, and you have even more room to continue growing. You got this!