Slight identity crisis

[lombardian]

I dunno if this should be posted in miscellaneous or what, nor if any of you have had any experience with this, but i do wish to share with you a problem which has been nagging me lately. I would be deeply grateful for any advice you guys could give.

I am a 16 year old american piano student hailing from california who is currently living in holland. My two year stay here is almost up, and i feel i have made great progress with my teacher at the amsterdam conservatory. Let me start off by saying that although musically this has been a great experience, it has in all other respects been miserable for me: school, friends, etc. This has made the return date to santa cruz seem all the sweeter, and has made me homesick beyond description. I miss my friends, the social atmosphere, and my highschool. I miss the ocean, my neighborhood and the food. In short, i miss everything about it.

Now on to the dilemma

I was just recently offered a place at the yehudi menuhin school. If i went there, i would study for about 2 years with my teacher (the same one at the amserdam conservatory) and then go on to college (most likely a conservatory in the states). And now comes the choice: do i return to my highschool, finish off senior year, go to the prom, and participate in all the highschool social activities with friends that ive been deprived of these past years, or do move, by myself, to a foreign environment to persue a career in music. Perhaps it seems like a no-brainer to some of you, but i would still like your opinions on the matter.

[stevehopwood]

It is horrible to hear how unhappy you have been, lombardian. You have been very brave to put up with it.

The Menuin school must be a lovely place to be: lovely grounds in the heart of the countryside; a caring, 'family' atmosphere with loads of emotional support; stunning level of musical achievement in your fellow students.

Trouble is, it still isn't home, and it sounds like it is this that you are missing. Ok, so attending the school is a great opportunity, but you do not have to attend such a place to become a musician. Yes, it helps but is not compulsory.

It sounds as though you have not enjoyed being at a musical 'hot house', miles from home. Going to the Menuin would dump you straight back in the same situation.

Maybe you need a dose of normal life, for a while?

Steve 

[barnowl]

Is it too much to hope that the Amsterdam Conservatory's management would appreciate your homesickness and and work with the Yehudi Menuin School to give you a year's "sabbatical" to finish off highschool in California, and then do the 2 years at YMS?

I mean what the hell, you're a kid! Are they blind to your very understandable needs. Have you talked this over with your teacher? Is he/she on your side?

Damn! I hope the whole thing is resolved in your favor.

[lombardian]

Thanks for the support guys. I know I'll get through this one way or the other. It's just going to be a tough balancing act i guess.

[allthumbs]

And now comes the choice: do i return to my highschool, finish off senior year, go to the prom, and participate in all the highschool social activities with friends that ive been deprived of these past years, or do move, by myself, to a foreign environment to persue a career in music. Perhaps it seems like a no-brainer to some of you, but i would still like your opinions on the matter.

Finish off high school, be with your friends and go to the prom. You'll only be in high school once. The music career will be waiting for you.


Cheers

allthumbs

[henrah]

Barnowl makes an excellent point. Talk to your teacher and other people at the conservatory and ask if you can take a year to finish off high school, and then return as a budding enthusiast. Make note of the fact that if you were to go straight into it, you might not go at it full steam and it might be a waste of resources on their behalf and more beneficial for both of you if you had a year away.
Henrah

[persona]

I agree with the guys above. Just one thing kid: never take for granted the oportunity you've been given to start so young and already with such great teachers. Very few people have the chance to work in something they like so much (if this is your case, of course. Only you'll know that).