The City and the Sea

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

I'm reading Emily Freeman's A Million Little Ways right now — so many good words and such a fresh perspective on life and living and grace and art. Created in the image of God, we are called to serve and give and create in a multitude of ways — ways that reflect His glory. The journey to discovering these callings is a personal one and as I read Emily's account of her story, I see pieces of my own journey.

"My life is the city but my soul is the sea."

These words practically jumped off the page when I read them.

We've all had those moments when life feels adventurous and exciting. We thrive on the hustle and bustle of those around us and we feel as if we're on top of the world. Life is big and grand like the intimidating lines and finely-crafted architectural detail of the early skyscrapers, built a century ago and still standing majestically along Main Street. There in the distance — our name in lights.

And then there are those days when we want to hide. When we drive to a place where no one will find us because stepping into the warm rays of sunlight that hit our front steps and facing the world seems too much to bear. Instead of attention and a desire to be noticed, to be known, we long for security, for peace, for stillness. Our souls long for refreshment and solitude.

Rochester is a mid-size city.

We say it's just the right size for us: lots of arts and culture; small restaurants with a cozy, neighborhood feel; and you can get anywhere in about 20 minutes. I've grown used to the refrigerated delivery trucks parked outside on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, the street sweeper, the beeping of the bus as it pauses mid-route at the stop around the corner. There's something comforting about it all — life being lived around you, people coming and going, a sense of community.

But then there are those moments when city life stops for a moment. There's a lull in the traffic on East Avenue. The only other person out walking is far in the distance. The only sounds are those of the birds happily chirping in the nearby crabapple and the wind gently nudging its branches.

I love these moments.

Instinctively, I take in a deep breath. I notice the pool blue sky, the white petals of the dogwood falling along my path, the fluffy peonies larger than the size of my hand. And then I remember that though my life is the city much of the time, my soul is the sea.

The Piano Teacher

Penelope is a bright-eyed, curly-headed girl of almost 8. She often skips into her lesson, singing me the song she composed that week. But one week, in the middle of playing through "Beautiful Dreamer," she fought back tears as she half-whispered, "No one wants to listen to my songs." I put down my notebook and pencil and moved to the bench to sit beside her. "My friends just want to play with me. They don't want to hear me play the piano." We talked about people and how everyone is different. We all like different things and are good at different things. Some people like to be with other people and others would rather be by themselves. "I like to be by myself," she said quietly. "Me, too," I said with a smile. She brushed away a tear from the corner of her eye and we went back to our lesson. Sometimes, it's more important to sit and talk for a minute than hearing every piece on the assignment sheet. Sometimes, lessons are more about building relationships and trust than playing and making music. As musicians, we know how much our emotions impact what we do. Creating music is a vulnerable act, a bearing of our very souls to those listening. Many times I've felt insecure about this and insecure about my abilities when they are not affirmed by others. Maybe you've been there, too. I want to be a teacher that acknowledges these struggles with openness and honesty. Someone who offer that affirmation and encouragement or at least lend a listening ear and say "I understand. I know what you're feeling." I believe this is part of what we are called to do as teachers. We listen when they're going through a hard time, encourage their pursuit of musical excellence, and celebrate their achievements.

We also laugh at their jokes and smile when they're being silly. Like when Graham, a sandy-haired, blue-eyed 1st grader asked to read me a comic he memorized from the New Yorker. At the end of his lesson, he sat on the bench and "performed" the comic for me with a different voice for each character. His mom said the first thing he told her when he got home was that he "made me laugh" with his story.

We are musicians and supporters, encouragers and facilitators, but we're also listeners and mentors, friends and confidants. We are piano teachers.

Taxes for Freelancers - Part IV

Hi friends!

I know it's past Tax Day, but as a freelancer, there are some tax considerations to think about throughout the year. So far in this series, I've covered Getting Started, Getting Organized, and Keeping Good Records Throughout the Year.

Today's topic: Estimated Taxes.

First, what are estimated taxes? The short answer: a way of withholding money from what you make and paying taxes as you go, rather than in one lump sum come April. With no employer withholding things like Medicare and social security, the government expects you to do this quarterly, if you make a certain amount.

That certain amount? Enough to owe $1,000 in taxes.

If you owed $1,000 this year or anticipate owing $1,000 next year, then you should start making estimated tax payments. If you owe $1,000 next year and don't make estimated tax payments this year, the IRS can fine you or charge you a penalty.

However, if you make estimated tax payments all year and end up not owing $1,000 in taxes next year, no harm, no foul. In fact, you may even get a larger refund!

Here are a few examples:

Ex. 1: You are single, making about $18,000 per year in freelance income.

Come tax season, you will owe the federal income tax rate:

10% on taxable income from $0-$9,075 + 15% on taxable income from $9,075-$36,900 + 25% on taxable income from $36,900-$89,350

This works out to be about 12.5%. You will also owe the federal self-employment tax rate of 15.3%.

What does this mean? Well, you could pay the combined 27.8% in estimated taxes throughout the year, or you could assume that you're going to take a few deductions that will knock your income down from $18,000. Let's say you have $6,000 in deductions. This brings your taxable income down to $12,000. Using the formula above, your federal income tax is now 7.4%, meaning, with the 15.3% of self-employment tax (fixed amount), you will owe a total of 22.7% of your $18,000 in federal taxes.

Ex. 2: You are single, making about $40,000 per year in freelance income.

As in the example above, you will owe federal income tax (14.6% - see formula above) plus the federal self-employment tax rate of 15.3%.

You could pay the combined 29.9% in estimated taxes, or you could assume that you'll have, say, $10,000 in deductions. This brings your your taxable income down to $30,000 and your total federal taxes down to 25.4%.

Ex. 3: You are married (filing jointly), making about $80,000 per year in freelance income.

You will owe the federal income tax rate: 10% on taxable income from $0-$18,150 + 15% on taxable income from $18,150-$73,800 + 25% on taxable income from $73,800-$148,850

This works out to be 14.6%. Like above, you will also owe the federal self-employment tax rate of 15.3%.

So, you could pay the combined 29.9% in estimated taxes, or you could estimate, say, $15,000 in deductions, bringing your taxable income down to $65,000. Your federal income tax rate is now 11%. With the 15.3% of self-employment tax, you will owe 26.3% of your $80,000 in federal taxes.

Phew! Still with me? Okay good. :-)

Making Estimated Tax Payments

If you decide to start making estimated tax payments this year, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Freelance income is taxed at the federal tax rate (see formulas above) AND self-employment tax rate of 15.3% (12.4% for social security and 2.9% for Medicare). Based on our income and our taxes from previous years, Steve and I set aside 20% of our business income each quarter for federal taxes.
   

2. Don't forget about state tax! Some states have a flat income tax rate and others (like New York State) have a marginal tax rate, based on your income and filing status (single vs. married). Again, based on our income and our state taxes from previous years, Steve and I set aside 5% of our business income each quarter for NYS taxes.
   

3. Mark your calendar! Estimated taxes are due the following dates: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of next year.
   

4. Save yourself the time and hassle by paying your estimated taxes online. For federal tax payments, create an account at EFTPS.
   

5. Separate your tax money from your take-home pay by keeping funds in a separate savings account. Withhold your tax percentage from every check that comes in and then pay the balance of the savings account every quarter. Remember, overpaying (and getting a refund) is better than underpaying (and paying a penalty)!

Want to learn more? Here are a few helpful resources:

• The Freelancer's Guide to Business and Taxes

• Federal Tax Income Rate Brackets

• How to Pay Self-Employment Tax

• Quarterly Tax Guide for Freelancers

Alcott Songs

A few months ago, I had the privilege of recording part of SD's newest work - "Alcott Songs" for soprano and piano (and soon, for soprano and chamber winds! Read more here). This set of six songs, with text by Louisa May Alcott would be such a fun addition to a recital or concert program. The songs are short and playful and each one has such a unique character. See the vocal score here.

We set up a little recording studio in the beautiful sanctuary at Pittsford Presbyterian Church. If you look closer at the picture above, you'll see how we cleverly rigged our portable recording device to a boom mic stand!

Here is a recording of the sixth song, "Lullaby":

[audio http://www.ashleydanyew.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Lullaby_Alcott.mp3]

Now the day is done, Now the shepherd sun Drives his white flocks from the sky; Now the flowers rest On their mother’s breast, Hushed by her low lullaby.

Now ‘mid shadows deep Falls blessed sleep, Like dew from the summer sky; And the whole earth dreams, In the moon’s soft beams, While night breathes a lullaby.

Interested in performing these songs? Purchase the soprano / piano version (digital - $18, print - $24) or join the soprano / chamber winds consortium and be among the first to perform the new version!

What is a consortium? A consortium is a group of schools, ensembles, and individuals that buy into or co-commission a new musical work. The consortium members get first access to the new work and sole performance rights for a certain period of time. A consortium is a great way to be part of a new music project without the sole responsibility of funding it!

Consortium info: -  Duration: 12 minutes -  Instrumentation: soprano (voice) and chamber octet: Flute, Oboe, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, Bass Clarinet in Bb, Contrabass Clarinet in Bb* -  Difficulty Level: Grade 5 -  Timeline: Printed music will be sent to all consortium members no later than June 1, 2014. Consortium members will receive individually numbered scores, and a complete set of printed parts. Consortium members will have the exclusive performance rights to the piece through the end of the 2014 calendar year.

*String bass may be substituted

Sign up for the consortium here!

The consortium closes June 1, 2014.

May Goals

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

April was a good month — a busy month, but a good one. 

Our little bell choir played two special pieces on Easter Sunday, we had happy hour on the roof for the first time this season, and we tried a few new recipes.  I finished several school projects (one step closer to the end of the semester!), received my article in print form (ahh!), wrapped up the Piano Olympics Festival, finished reading Margin, and sent out the first edition of a new email newsletter — short notes of inspiration, helpful resources, and creative ideas for music teaching.  The second edition will be on its way to your inbox this afternoon!  Not on the list?  Sign up here. 

I am so grateful for the longer, brighter, warmer days; our evening walks down Park Ave., and time to sit outside and be still at the end of busy work days.  May is when the magnolias bloom all over the city.  It's also the beginning "festival season" in Rochester — looking forward to attending two festivals this month!  Here are my goals:

May Goals

Take a walk down East Ave. during the annual Busker Festival
Do some form of intentional exercise every day
Start reading A Million Little Ways
Continue intentional time off of social media
Go to the Lilac Festival with SD
Write year-end summary letters for each student (Piano teachers - have any of y'all done this before? Something new I'm trying this year.)
Choose final recital repertoire with students, plan details
Prepare workshop materials for June conference
Go see The Amazing Spider-Man 2!
Write out ideas/vision for new blog series (very excited about this!)

Happy May, y'all!  What are you most looking forward to this month?

---

Sacred Space

"Space," I said as we stepped out into the cool, dark night, gesturing with my hands. I took a deep breath almost instinctively. We walked in silence for a while as we let the worship service sink in. The pace of the readings, the prayers, the music, created an atmosphere of rest and peace—a sanctuary, a haven where we were free to just be. There was a sense of timelessness in this service—neither of us had any idea what time it was and it didn't matter. As we turned our hearts toward worship, the things of this world faded.

We have grown accustomed to sound and noise as a backdrop for just about everything we do, but our listening is surface-level. We are used to having information at our fingertips, but we skim instead of reading. We are always connected via the worldwide web, but we are often disconnected from the present. No wonder our attention spans are so short! When do we give ourselves permission to do one thing at a time? When do we take the time to sit and listen, to put our phones on silent, to breathe deeply?

"He made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find Him." - Acts 17:26-27

Our busy, fast-paced, impatient world does not often leave room for encountering space or dwelling in it for a short time, but worship is supposed to be different. It's supposed to draw us into God's presence, to create space for Him to move among His people. Worship is not instant or immediate—it's a process, of rendering, of believing, of trusting, of hoping, of listening.

"When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer." - Lamentations 3:29

There were two layers of space and time in this service: space in between elements (readings, hymns, anthems, etc.) and space in the elements themselves. Do you know how slowly you need to read before your spoken words really sink in for listeners? Pretty slow. Whether it's a Scripture reading or a written prayer, leave space. Let those final consonants linger for a minute. Let the richness of the text sit for a second before you move on.

"But oh! God is in his holy Temple! Quiet everyone—a holy silence. Listen!" - Habakkuk 2:20

Leave some space between the spoken elements of the service and the musical elements. Pause before beginning the hymn introduction.

"Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, And also obedience. You hear the prayer in it all." - Psalm 65:1-2

Take a deep breath and begin in a tempo that accommodates breathing. SD reflected later, "The tempo and phrasing was so in tune with my breaths that it felt like I was controlling the accompaniment—it was just right." There was space in between verses and in between phrases. The tempo not only facilitated good singing but also reflection on the text as we read the theology together.

This worship experience was transcendent, outside of the world in which we live. Go there. Go to that place where there's space and silence and room to breathe. Take it all in. Listen, sing, pray, and rest in the sanctity of this sacred space.

CMS Workshop / Knoxville, TN

Earlier this spring, I had the privilege of presenting a workshop at the College Music Society (CMS) Southern/Mid-Atlantic Joint Regional Conference in Knoxville, TN.

We had a little trouble getting there because of all the winter weather in Tennessee (the University of Tennessee cancelled classes the day before this picture was taken!) but everything worked out in the end.

At the end of the first day, SD and I explored a little bit of downtown Knoxville - walking distance from our hotel. Such a historic city! I loved the old theater signs, lamp posts, and brick sidewalks. We had dinner at Tupelo Honey Cafe - southern food! The tangy BBQ, sweet tea cocktail, fried okra, and goat cheese grits were our favorites.

One the last day of our trip, we spent the morning exploring the city a little further. We stopped in a few adorable boutiques and antique shops, a cute kitchen store, and a bookstore with a charming small-town feel.

We discovered Just Ripe on our walk up Union Avenue and decided to share an egg biscuit and glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice as a late breakfast. The shop was charming - a combination grocery and cafe. As we sat at our bistro table by the window, people came in to pick up a dozen eggs, a loaf of freshly-baked bread, or to order a bite to eat. The food was delicious! In fact, we liked it so much that we went back a little while later to pick up lunch to-go! Who can resist a homemade pimento cheese sandwich?

I hope we make it back to Knoxville sometime soon - perhaps for the International Biscuit Festival!

Taxes for Freelancers - Part III

Welcome back to the third post in my "Taxes for Freelancers" mini series (be sure to read Part I and Part II, if you missed them!).

Today, I want to share a bit about my process for staying organized and keeping good records throughout the year. This is essential for making sure tax season goes smoothly!

One thing that helps me stay organized is setting aside a few hours each month to work through a list of business to-dos (inspired by this post).

On the first Friday of each month, I spend a few hours organizing my records from the previous month, checking in on my financial goals, and preparing for the month ahead (make invoices, schedule blog posts, etc.).

Here is my monthly checklist:

FINANCIAL

Schedule credit card payment(s)
Buy Roth IRA mutual funds (set monthly amount)
Make loan payment (set monthly amount)
Review bank statements from this month*

*Other monthly investments and savings are automatic

SD and I set financial goals at the beginning of the year with monthly investment amounts. It's rewarding to see our progress month by month! In addition, I feel more productive and organized when I do all of these more administrative tasks at one time (instead of remembering to pay bills at different times each month).

BUSINESS

Create studio invoices for next month
Write and schedule invoice emails (thank you, Boomerang!)
Record income and mileage for this month in studio budget
Deposit checks
File receipts (I sort mine into categories: Business Travel, Meals, Professional Development, and Business Expenses)
Print assignment sheets for lessons next month
Pay estimated taxes (federal, state) [quarterly]

As a teacher, music director, and full-time student, it helps me to step back every few weeks and evaluate my business as a whole, reflect on my teaching, and plan ahead. Setting aside part of a day each month keeps me accountable in those tasks that can easily be overlooked (e.g. filing receipts, tracking mileage, and setting aside estimated tax).

PERSONAL

Plan blog calendar for next month (I love this one from Em for Marvelous!)
Run computer backup
Back up iPhone photos [quarterly]

Some of the things on this list help me stay on track with my monthly goals, as well (bonus!).

The real secret? Organize and keep records as you go.

1. Report your income and expenses in a spreadsheet each month.
2. File your receipts every few weeks.
3. Tally your business travel receipts when you get home from your trip.
4. Keep a separate bank account for estimated tax money.
5. Keep a little notebook in your glove compartment to document mileage.

Have other creative ideas for staying organized and keeping good records throughout the year? Leave a comment below - I'd love to hear!

Previously:
Taxes for Freelancers - Part I
Taxes for Freelancers - Part II

April Goals

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Okay, so it doesn't exactly look like this in Upstate New York yet, but I'm holding out hope for you, April! (We may or may not have gotten six inches of snow this weekend, but that's beside the point.)

This month, I'm looking forward to more evening walks with SD, more music-making (currently working on an arrangement of "Falling Slowly" from Once), and more intentional rest.

Maybe you (like me) have had a rough start to year. Maybe your shiny goals from January are losing their luster.

Maybe you're feeling burnt out and uninspired. The good news is that January 1 is only a date on the calendar. You can reset or revise your goals at any time. You can set small action steps any time. You can make choices about how you spend your time. I intend to celebrate this month by living in the moment, cultivating daily gratitude, and making time for the small things in life that mean so much. April is a fresh start, full of promise and potential — let's make the most of it!

April Goals

Plan an adventure with SD
Continue 60 minutes of intentional exercise per week
Write a note of encouragement to a friend*
Continue reading Margin
Send out my new email newsletter (the first edition is going out later today - it's not too late to sign up!)
Plan intentional time off of social media
Commit to no email after dinner
Celebrate Easter with SD (and the Bell Choir!)

*=carryover from last month

Happy Spring, friends!

Graham Johnson Masterclass: What I Learned

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a masterclass presented by Graham Johnson at Eastman. What a privilege to learn from someone so wise and with so much experience! Eastman students performed eight songs of Schumann and Brahms (one by Schubert). Graham Johnson's perspective on music and performance was inspiring and enlightening.

Here are a few things I took away:

- The original key of a song has a certain color and quality - be wary of alternate keys and transpositions that change the mood and character of a song. - All ritardandi in Schumann's music are "local" or temporary, though often, a return to tempo is not indicated in the score. - The joy of performing is in the challenge, risk, and danger of the musical performance. "Go for the challenge and let it be an enriching experience." - Choose a tempo that leaves room for communicating the text and character of the song. Make it sound as if the thoughts or actions of the character are occurring in the moment, for the first time. - Do not play (or sing) "off the voice." A crooning, whispery sound does not travel expressively - it must be supported. - To the singer: listen to the piano and harmonize with it. - "Cultivate [your] tone." - "All lieder requires time for the notes to be sung, not barked or spoken." - Never allow yourself to go on automatic pilot. "Don't ever find yourself going through the motions. How can that engage your heart?" - Music of the nineteenth century reflects a period that had more time. Consider this when choosing tempi for performance (versus the fast-paced "broadband" culture of the world today). - "We've got to get this sense of communing [between singer and pianist]. . .it's an important part of what we do." - Accompany what is there in the moment, rather than the ideal in your head. - Pianists often sit in the composer's [Schubert] hot seat, playing music he wrote for himself to play. - "What's the message?" What are you trying to convey? - Brahms "treated his songs like a private diary of emotions." - The secret is: more time. - "Intimacy is part of what lieder is about. . . .Less sound, more feeling."

If you ever have the opportunity to attend a masterclass with a world-class musician, I hope you take advantage! It will change the way you think about, hear, and create music.