It’s kind of amazing. The Classical music world is huge, and then it’s tiny.

I once wrote a paper on a work by a contemporary and quite famous composer.  While preparing for it, I happened upon her work e-mail address. I reached out with a few questions, and she wrote back with her responses within 24 hours, allowing me to use her as a primary source for the paper. Months later I noticed that a super famous violist was coming to Seattle for a concert, and I wrote him too. And you know what? He met with me. He gave me a private lesson backstage. This keeps happening, time and again, throughout my musical life. One world-renowned violist helped me at a time of need and wouldn’t even accept payment for the lessons because she said people had helped her and she was paying it forward.

Just recently I’ve been reaching out once again. I need help, and I figure it doesn’t hurt to go big and ask the people high up. What’s the worst that can happen? And somehow, again and again, these folks write me back. They offer me their help. I feel fortunate and encouraged and motivated.

We are a network. Keep helping others, but don’t forget to ask for some help yourself. Let’s reach out people!