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Mr. Holland's Opus is available on Disney +. 
One of my favorites. I cry every time I watch this movie, because I think of my high school music teacher. He was one of most hard-working teachers on campus, without even breaking a sweat.
He had hearing loss like I did.
One of my favorites. I cry every time I watch this movie, because I think of my high school music teacher. He was one of most hard-working teachers on campus, without even breaking a sweat.
He had hearing loss like I did.
And I learned how to deal with my ear “ghost” pain and loss, while falling in love with music, primarily percussion.
I struggled with hearing tones, I struggled with following rhythm because of the pain. But he never gave up on me, as we found alternatives to continue my love.
I struggled with hearing tones, I struggled with following rhythm because of the pain. But he never gave up on me, as we found alternatives to continue my love.
I enrolled in every group possible with him: big band, orchestral, jazz, marching, winter percussion, marching band, choir, full ensemble, musicals, all of the theory and music appreciation classes, even specialty groups to play music to younger children and in nursing homes.
And he never gave on me and my current frustrations.
I won first place in solo performance with the state my junior year. By senior year, I was already involved in college groups, and outside ensembles with the city. When I graduated HS, I signed on as his percussion instructor.
I won first place in solo performance with the state my junior year. By senior year, I was already involved in college groups, and outside ensembles with the city. When I graduated HS, I signed on as his percussion instructor.
It became my career, and having a teacher who had all of the hopes for me, made that possible. I continued teaching percussion for him & many other schools, while performing cross-country as a percussionist.
And I always checked in on him, and he always was as proud as before.
And I always checked in on him, and he always was as proud as before.
When he retired early, because the extent of his loss was more to continue, it was around the time I lost a decent amount of hearing in my right ear as well, and it debilitated me. I had to give up music for a path to science (my second love.)
I still write from time to time.
I still write from time to time.
He still remained proud.
Proud that I continued as far as I can in what I grow to love, used that love and manifested it into an abundance of happiness that I will always look back to.
Most of my happy memories were with him and music.
And I am glad to connect those two.
Proud that I continued as far as I can in what I grow to love, used that love and manifested it into an abundance of happiness that I will always look back to.
Most of my happy memories were with him and music.
And I am glad to connect those two.
My music teacher is a legacy in our community.
With my story, he made many other life stories with hundreds of people that stepped into his life. His joy&strength continued into my journey through life, as I continue to teach my students & my little one as he did.
Thank you.
With my story, he made many other life stories with hundreds of people that stepped into his life. His joy&strength continued into my journey through life, as I continue to teach my students & my little one as he did.
Thank you.
