We are getting into, what is for me anyway, one of the most challenging parts of the year. And while the ever building avalanche of performances, festivals, and events is looming from now through May, what really makes this time of year tough is the smaller things. It’s harder to get up in the morning. Small tasks seem to stack up and require more effort than they did before. Rest and motivation are winning this cruel game of hide and seek that will continue for the next few months. And if I’m feeling it, then chances are pretty good that students are feeling it too. Hibernation feels like it should be a part of my natural being, even if it isn’t technically an option. Since hibernation isn’t an option, something else is going to have to change. But what can we do to help boost our own, and our students’ psyches and push through the funk? Enter Richard Floyd. I picked up his book, The Artistry of Teaching and Making Music , from the GIA booth while at the M...