At Post Falls Music Academy, we believe every student—whether five or fifty—has the potential to grow into a confident, capable musician. Progress in music isn’t about being “born with talent”; it’s about developing skill through consistent effort, curiosity, and perseverance. This idea, called the growth mindset, comes from the research of psychologist Carol Dweck, and it has transformed how we understand learning and achievement.

A fixed mindset says, “I’m just not musical,” or “She’s a natural.” It assumes that talent is something you either have or don’t. But a growth mindset understands that every musician starts somewhere—and that each challenge, each wrong note, and each new song is a chance to strengthen the brain and build new abilities.

For children, this mindset teaches resilience. When parents praise effort (“You worked hard on that piece!”) instead of only outcome (“You’re so talented!”), students learn to value practice and persistence. They begin to see mistakes not as failures but as stepping stones to success.

For adult learners, adopting a growth mindset restores the joy of discovery. It reminds us that it’s never too late to learn, and that steady progress—no matter how small—creates lasting confidence and fulfillment.

At PFMA, our teachers nurture this mindset in every lesson. We celebrate perseverance, curiosity, and the courage to keep improving. Every student can move forward at their own pace, achieving the level of musicianship they dream of—because talent may open the door, but dedication and mindset carry you through it.

Keep up the great work!  Dawn Elmer, Academy Director