ABOUT

Our identity is who we are, the way we think about ourselves, the way we’re viewed by the world, and the characteristics that define us. Hosted by Erika Gray, this Social Hour explored how classical musicians perceive identity, offering strategies to process failure and success in healthy ways.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

We can easily attach ourselves entirely to our identity as a flutist, tubist, etc. After experiencing a failure (not advancing at an audition, not getting into a certain school, not playing well in a rehearsal), this might look like: 

• Should I quit?

• Am I really cut out for this?

• So-and-so is much further ahead of me in their career, why am I not where they’re at? 

• What if I never “make it”?

By attaching ourselves entirely to our identity as a musician, we miss out on an opportunity to hold space for ourselves. By reframing failure and redefining success, we can find ways to find meaning in other parts of our identities