But I always, all those years, had a big love for music. It wasn't until, I'd say last year, that I finally thought “Hey, I'm going to look into anything that I can do, such as voice lessons, or a musical program, of how I can improve my voice. Because yes, I can sing, but it needs to get much better.” 

I saw a lot of quotes by other people who had gone through Next Level. And I remember thinking: 

“If I'm able to get those same qualities that these other people have, then I will really be able to accomplish my big picture vision.” 

Having someone who I can see every week, and who then goes through the material with me, and talks about how “Okay, well then here's where you're at. So in relation to what you're learning, how can then we apply this to your instrument?” 

And he makes it a lot of fun too. Because it's one of those things where you wonder “Okay, what are we going to talk about and do in this call?” But he seems to know just what kind of exercises to bring up that make it fun but then challenging in the same way. 

And he is very patient. There's many times in the call where I'm trying something new and it's like “Oh, okay. Yeah. Didn't mean to do that. That wasn't right at all!” And he says “No, no, it's okay, it's okay.” 

The ability to also reach out to him any time I have a question as I'm logging my progress. And he gives input of just “Hey, keep this up. You're doing really well with this.” That gives that affirmation to continue to keep going, and work hard. 

The way that I try to describe it to other people is it's very personable. The way that not just my specific coach that I have, but all the other coaches that are part of Next Level, how they really reach out to help you understand any kind of aspect that you need. 

The biggest takeaway and help from the four H’s is just knowing when you look at it “Okay, this is where I am, but where I want to be is here.”  Kind of, compare it to my Big Picture Vision. 

“So, I see I have a lot of stuff right now with the head, but hands and hearing, where do I navigate so that I'm getting a good blend of all of them?” Also heart: “Am I doing a good job of really enjoying and loving what I'm doing? Or am I doing too much of trying to get knowledge, that I then lose that balance?” 

And then also see “Okay, how much progress have I made?” Because when you then do see that progress, that's really encouraging. 

So I remember at first improvisation was pretty scary. And I kind of overthought it a lot. But now I can do it! One of the really cool things with improvising, is learning how music, I didn't realize it's not right or wrong. I just learned that it's all about being creative. 

Because as I've learned, by seeing so many other Musical U members, we’re all in a completely different musical journey. And we all have different places that we need to put our focus. So when you have a coach working directly with you, they can tell you “This is what you have so far, you're wanting to get here, so then this is where we put our focus.” Because we're all on different journeys, completely. 

I'd say it's really for anybody who wants to learn more and dive deeper and become an even better musician, so they are letting that music come from inside and be out. 

Just from what you see of the knowledge that people have it’s so easy to think “Okay, that's them. They know that, but there's no way on earth that I could learn that and know how to then apply it to my life.” 

And I'd say don't listen. You can learn anything through Next Level. 

And all it takes is you just making those little baby steps, figuring out “Okay, I'm here on my musical journey. I can get there.” It just takes putting in the time, putting in the practice. 

I have grown big-time in confidence. I remember first doing a recording of myself, even just singing, back when I first started Next Level. And it was one of those things where I was like “Wait, that's what I sound like? That doesn't sound like me. That's what my voice is, okay.” And so I didn’t like how my voice sounded. 

But I continued to do every week those voice recordings and that confidence slowly built, just by hearing how I sounded and I did sound better over time. 

And the same thing also not just with my singing but my guitar playing. Being able to just pick up the guitar and just play it. Start playing it for fun because you enjoy doing it. Not just playing it to check off a box of “Okay, I finished this day and this exercise” and expressing whatever it is that you feel, to get that music out. 

Musical U honestly does feel like family to me. Like, I love Musical U! I wish I could explain and describe Musical U and Next Level, specifically to my friends when they ask how my lessons are going—and I can't. I do my best, but it's something you have to be a part of to experience. 

With all of the Open Mics and the Sharing Your Music or Inspiration. All that kind of stuff. We're all really encouraging each other on our musical journey. even though we're at different parts. Just cheering each other on. 

And I'd say that's the biggest reason of why I love Next Level so much, and why I then have an even bigger love of music. Not just the program. 

Because I'm able to take that music and apply it to my musical life. And, as we call it, the head, heart, hands, hearing.