Often here at DWR CMI Fridays we see the classics being performed by serious musicians doing serious things and it is majestic and wonderful, but it’s not all there is.  Far from it.  Steven Sharp Nelson, a cellist and member of the Piano Guys represents, for me, what being a musician is all about.  He is living completely in the moment, through his 10,000+ hours of practice he allows himself to be;  simply –  just there, a conduit for the music he creates.  The energy and emotion expressed is amazing, you can take a small part of his quiet mastery and bring it inside yourself and let the music, the joy of creating, the joy of sharing encompasses you.

This video should be a part of every music curriculum.  It lends inspiration, hope and wonder.   Keep in mind this is a youth orchestra backing him up, 13 – 18 years old, making and contributing to brilliant music.  If they can do it, so can we.

Don’t only practice your art,

But force your way into its secrets,

For it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.

-Ludwig Van Beethoven

*There are 5 motifs from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in this piece, can you parse them out?*