Manny Laureano

Dear Elaine,

At your age the most important things for you to be involved in are good groups and regular lessons with a good teacher. If there's an opportunity for you to play with another youth ensemble in addition to school I would say "Go for it."

You need to begin to surround yourself with other kids who love music as much as do you. You'll learn a lot from kids with similar interests. Anything that helps you continue to enjoy playing is what you want to be around.

Listen to good players, live or recorded. You don't have to break the record stores doors down and go crazy buying CD's. Find one or two artists you like and listen very, very closely until you really understand why they're great. Expand after that taking your time.

The bottom line? Do things that you enjoy and don't worry about school for a little while yet. Just enjoy. The answers will come sooner rather than later.

ML