We stand on the shoulders of our mentors. regardless of what your occupation or interest; there are people that have "taken yo...
We
stand on the shoulders of our mentors. regardless of what your occupation or
interest; there are people that have "taken you under their wing" to
assist you grow.
When
you begin something new, it's your mentor's belief in you that keeps you going
until your own belief in you kicks in.
I
began as a protégé at the age of 8, studying with William Whitson, who was a
Concert Violinist and officer . He smiled and showed me the way to hold the
violin and bow, where to put my fingers on the string, and the way to form a
sound on the instrument by pulling the bow across the strings. He did this by
modeling the way to play on behalf of me then having me try it.
He
also taught me the way to read the notes on the musical page which is parallel
to reading a book and taught me at my first music lesson to play the theme of
Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Ode to Joy.
Mr.
Whitson's encouragement was the fuel that kept me going during my moments of
frustration.
Many
years later at 17, I had the respect of playing at the world-famous Carnegie
Hall. That journey would never are possible without the investment my mentor
made in me.
My
first leadership role was that of a teaching assistant at Virginia Commonwealth
University at 17 years aged . albeit many of the scholars were older than i
used to be , I taught an equivalent way Mr. Whitson taught me, wearing a smile,
demonstrating the way to hold the violin and bow, and having them try it. I
walked round the room to assist improve each person's hold on the violin and
bow and gave them encouragement. even as Mr. Whitson believed in me, I believed
in them.
One
student was 6 foot 2 with huge hands he was trying to wrap around his violin.
After showing him the way to pull his left arm down and hold his hand by
bending his thumb slightly, he was ready to play a couple of notes. This was
his lightbulb moment!
While
i used to be teaching, i used to be continuing in my protégé role studying
violin with my Professor.
That
school was a stepping stone for studying at the Juilliard School. While
studying at the Juilliard School, I played Principal viola within the 92nd Y
Orchestra. My leadership role was playing solos with the orchestra and leading
my section. This job gave me a stipend to pay my rent.
Herman
Silver, 75, was a member of our viola section. He was a tremendous amateur
violist who played beautifully. During the weekends, he was hooked in to
playing classical music in his home with ny City's best musicians. you'll feel
the thrill dripping from his pores.
Herman
loaned me the music for every concert fortnight beforehand . He loved sharing
his passion for classical music with subsequent generation and having world
class musicians lead the way. Herman was an encouraging, inspiring, and
motivating mentor.
At
Herman's concerts we performed with concert violinist, Toscha Samaroff who had
been a student of Leopold Auer. Toscha, 75, played the difficult first violin
parts to both Mendelssohn's Octet and Spohr's Octet. Toscha was a unprecedented
leader twiddling with a gorgeous tone and wonderful phrasing. I played both
first viola parts in these works with Herman playing the second parts during a
beautiful steady manner. twiddling with Toscha Samaroff and Herman Silver was a
wonderful experience i will be able to long remember. They encouraged and
inspired others to play at their top level of performance.
My
leadership style today is as a pacesetter who is both an educator and mentor to
my team members helping them improve and grow.
Great
leaders are people developers, building strong relationships with others. They
encourage, inspire, and motivate their protégés and team members. they are
doing this by modeling the work and believing within the people they lead. this
is often my leadership style.
What
three things do great leaders, teachers, and mentors have in common?
1)
they need to develop people. They build strong relationships in an environment
of growth and learning.
2)
They care about others and need to assist them reach their goals by
encouraging, inspiring, and motivating others.
3)
they assist their protégés or mentees build healthy self-images by believing in
them before they are doing .
We
stand on the shoulders of our mentors. How are you able to keep their legacy
continuing for subsequent generation?
By
stepping up and being a pacesetter and mentor who motivates, encourages, and
inspires others to succeed in their top level of excellence!
Madeline
Frank, Ph.D., is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, speaker, business owner,
teacher, John Maxwell Team Member, concert artist, and parent. She helps
businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her
observations show you the blue prints necessary to enhance and keep your
business successful. Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring
Budget" is out there everywhere books are sold. If you would like a
speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com
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