S-T,

I've just viewed that video, thanks so much for providing it.

It was brilliant on so many levels, well done is an understatement.

Marc is such a charming endearing young boy, I wish him all the best.

Ellen Winebrenner was spot on, almost everything she said....

Someone should send that link over to the today show, Matt Lauer should be forced to watch it.....hee hee,,,,,,,sorry, couldn't resist.

Thanks for the link S-T. It is a very interesting video.

Ren

Hi Ren - i don't have any gifted music genes (well, i do have some jeans with music notes on them!), but i just wanted to say that I'm happy for your DD. I think that this will give you more choices in schooling for her. I don't think you need to worry so far into the future yet - just see how lessons progress.

S-T - I remember seeing that video on TV. I had forgotten about it (use it or lose, i suppose!). Very interesting, especially when talking about the different parts of the brain musicians use. Makes me want to go sign up for piano lessons myself!

Ren,

My wife played piano from age 6 on to HS. She was one of the top students for the teacher and did a number of concerts. She took up dance and drama in middle school as well. She gave it up when varsity sports, college and work and other interests intervened.

Prior to a concussion in her 20s, she could still sight-play just about everything she learned.

She says that piano gave her self-discipline far beyond what school did. She also thinks it helped her verbal memory. It also made her into a phenomal typist. ( All dance did for her was to allow her own the floor when she goes clubbing. )

Ren, relax.
Yes, you live in NYC, and you have many more possibilies than most of us. My son is in a village and he was composing sonatas by the time he was 4. So what???

She is not going to be composing sonatas at 4, or be the next Mark Yu.

Nor do I care for her to do that. Just like the video link S-T posted, most musical prodigies burn out during their teens. I know two. Both played global concerts, one with Leonard Bernstein, before the age of 12 but by 15 they had breakdowns.

I think my feelings are more about GT denial. I cannot exactly explain how, but there is a link inside of getting to a point of how smart she really is and thinking, could it be? Just afraid of going over that hump.

Ren

Yes, it seems like hitting that perfect balance is really hard - letting the kids show us what and how much they need seems key, and regular readjustments are needed! (Sounds like you are recognizing this)
Classic journey-not-destination situation. I think its a good idea to get input from others on paths taken and how they worked.