What We Mean by “Imperfect”: Growth and Joy in Music Lessons

The name Imperfect Music Studio comes from its “parent” – Imperfect Musician: A Journey in Freedom. That’s me! I’m Ms. Annaka, a recovering perfectionist who is continually learning to perform with joy and freedom. Because my life, musicianship, and teaching are all intertwined, this freedom is a guiding force as I help students on their own musical journeys.

My Journey to Freedom

I was first drawn to music as a career for the intangibles — because there wasn’t a simple “right” and “wrong” in band like there was in math class. But music was also something I had to work at. Thankfully, my effort paid off — as a high schooler, I sat first chair clarinet in the Florida All-State band. 

But during rehearsal I couldn’t execute exactly what the conductor was asking of me. I had “arrived” — I met the expectations of the adjudication panel — but I felt the tension of continually needing to perform… and failing.

The tension continued to grow as I studied music in college — and I found myself trapped in the throes of perfectionism. This pattern persisted until graduate school, where I found freedom from perfectionism in my faith. I finally accepted that I would never be enough on my own, and the burden was lifted from me!

From time to time, I still find myself drifting back to perfectionism — both as a musician and a person — and the name Imperfect Musician reminds me of what really matters. Ultimately, sharing music with others is far greater than any flawless performance. 

The freedom I’ve experienced shapes my teaching too. I long for my students to see that their mistakes simply provide information so they can grow — and let their music sing! 

What 'Imperfect' Looks Like in Lessons

A music studio should be a place where students are free to make mistakes. Fundamentally, mistakes are how we learn. Some mistakes are big and some mistakes are small, but they are all an opportunity. One way I coach that is by having students verbally identify their mistakes — even when practicing by themselves. Here are some examples: 

• A clarinet student might say, “I used 'Right C,' but in this passage I should use 'Left C,' to make it more fluent.”

• A saxophone student might observe, “My neck strap is too loose — causing my embouchure to slip.”

• Or a piano student might notice, “I lifted the pedal too soon, so I broke the phrase.” 

Acknowledging those mistakes is the first step. Then the student and I work together to fix it. This could mean slow practice, analysis, storytelling, marking the page, or a specific exercise to improve technique. This process allows the student to execute the passage, get out the low notes, or express a mood — freeing them to find joy in making music! 

High Standards, Human Approach

Does imperfect mean that the studio standards are low? By no means! 

By our humanity with preparation, we free ourselves to perform better — because artistry is greater than perfection. When we aren’t focused on avoiding mistakes or what someone else thinks, we can be in the moment — letting the music flow! 

My own experience shows that trying to attain perfection can have a paralyzing effect. Because of a miscommunication, my pianist and I only had time for two takes of the bass clarinet solo for the video round of my doctoral audition.

The first was expressive, but I let out a huge squeak! For the second take, I dialed it back out of fear. There was no squeak, but also no expression — it met the technical standard, but not the musical one. I decided to be gutsy and submit the recording with the squeak as a statement of my artistic integrity.

To my delight, I was invited to a live audition, where I was accepted and eventually earned my doctorate. Being welcomed into such a prestigious program — even with that squeak — shows that music is about so much more than notes and rhythms. This truth is at the heart of Imperfect Music Studio — where we're about music, connection, and growth.

Taking 'Imperfect' Beyond the Studio 

Our musical journeys often parallel our life journeys. Accepting mistakes as part of the learning process, adding tools to a toolbox, and connecting what we do to a greater purpose are all lessons for a lifetime — and they make the journey very rewarding. We’ll explore this more in the next post on joy, grit, and grace.

Families in St. Louis and the surrounding communities are invited to join me on the journey as I launch the studio there in 2026.