When I need to learn new repertoire quickly for tours, I focus on hitting the notes and playing the music, ensuring my hands are prepared for the technical challenges.

I use pieces to learn technique, but they also help in understanding music, allowing me to progress and play freely.

I prefer to introduce my students to new repertoire rather than only teaching pieces I have played extensively, as it keeps the learning process fresh and diverse.

Making a video of my practice allows me to break down the piece, edit it, and understand it much better.

Before performing, I remind myself of the specific sections in the music that I need to focus on, which can be stressful.

Before you can play complex pieces, you need to master the basic elements of technique, similar to how percussionists practice simple rhythms repeatedly.

My definition of practice is problem-solving; I focus on one problem until I fix it instead of just playing through pieces without purpose.

I separate practice from playing for enjoyment; mixing the two can lead to insecurities during performances, so I keep them distinct. When I practice, I'm problem-solving rather than just playing.

I have to go over the same page repeatedly to retain information because my brain struggles with retention due to ADD and ADHD. I write everything down daily to create a photographic memory of the material.