I spent most of the last year as a freelance pianist and had a VERY full calendar of amazing gigs all over the place with colleges, professional theatres, and high school groups – and while on Spring Break in Colorado – the world literally shut down and every gig I had on the books dried up – pretty much overnight!
After a panic’d week or two of wondering how on earth a pianist was going to make any money from home – I took a job in the communications department at First United Methodist Church which eventually went full time. Along the way, my friends at Beth-El Congregation continued to have weekly Shabbat services stream from their beautiful worship space.
In my job with the church I learned to do some video editing which I recently used to help Beth-El Congregation take their High Holy Days Services online. I continue to long for the return of the live gig’s that I love, but in the interim, I play online for an amazing Musical Theatre class online at TCU, edit a weekly service together for FUMCFW called DisciplChurch with Bill Longsworth and Charme Robarts, and continue playing for Beth-El’s weekly Shabbat services.
I’m a new kind of busy, but I recognize that I am extremely fortunate to have been able to both adapt and pivot into new roles this year. Who knows what the future holds for me, but for now – I’ve got more work than I have time for with video editing, database management, and developing digital projects.
I’ve absolutely loved having more time with my family at home. We were already very close, but this extra time has really allowed us to grow even closer. I will miss these days when things loosen up again and everyone gets busy again.
Professionaly, I’m enjoying my new challenges, but I’m happiest when I’m at a great piano accompanying a talented musican and I long for more of that again, please.
Check out some of the video editing projects I’ve done recently…