Mentoring for Wedding and Party Music

Thanks in advance for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas. I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation. Tell me what you think, and I'll reply. Promise.
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Yesterday I had an inspiration about mentoring, a subject we’re all interested in, or ought to be.

One of my brothers-in-law, Steve Placencia, was in town this weekend.  He’s the University of Minnesota’s track and field coach, and he brought some of his athletes to Palo Alto to compete in the annual Stanford Invitational.

Steve was outstanding in his years as a runner — twice an Olympian.  Now he has become a fine coach — recently voted top track coach in the Big 10.  Here’s a photo of Steve (on the right) with HIS mentor, former U of M track coach, Roy Griak.

His career demonstrates several examples of mentoring.  Let me mention two.  Roy Griak was a major influence in Steve’s development as a person as well as an athlete.  And now Steve follows in Roy’s footsteps, coaching the athletes in his program.

What inspired my thinking about mentoring yesterday?  Steve told me that he brought his team to California to compete with some of the best athletes in the country.

Creating experiences like this is an important part of mentoring.  Providing opportunities to face new challenges, perfect skills, and develop confidence.

There is much more to mentoring than just setting an example and teaching the basics.  I know this, but personally, I’ve never participated in a formal mentoring arrangement.  Although I’m sure I would have enjoyed it and benefitted a great deal.

Almost everything I know about music and entertaining at weddings and parties I’ve learned from working with other musicians.  Brief, practical, informal mentoring, I guess.  While I believe I can always learn SOMETHING new from anyone, I always try to work with exceptional musicians.  By partnering with musicians with outstanding experience in what I hope to learn, I always aim to learn the best from the best.

Similarly, I recognize my responsibility to pass along whatever I know.  Repaying the favors of my lifetime to people who’d like to learn.  I help where I can, with people I like.

In whatever we do, most of us are wise to pursue a mentoring arrangement with an expert we admire.  And at the same time, we should offer to mentor someone who admires us.

How about YOU? Are you mentoring someone?  Are you a mentee?

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The Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood. In the meantime, please join our Facebook fans to receive daily tips for planning wedding and party music and to receive reminders for our public events.

Thanks for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas here. Got one or two? I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation -- I'll reply. Promise.

By the way, does a friend need help selecting wedding or party music? Do them a favor: EMAIL this article, or SHARE it on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google+.

And if you find my blog useful, please LIKE it, TWEET it, and SUBSCRIBE for more ideas. Use those cute little icons below.

Meanwhile, the Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are ever nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood.

How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use Robbie@MagnoliaJazz.com. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.

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