I pay for those moments when my kid becomes so tired they want to quit but they don't.

I pay for those days when my kid comes home from school and is "too tired" to do their lesson but they go anyway.

I pay for my kid to learn to be disciplined, focused, and dedicated.

I pay for my kid to learn to take care of their body and their instrument (be it voice, piano, wind, or percussion).

I pay for my kid to learn to work with others and to be a good teammate, gracious in failure, and humble in success.

I pay for my kid to learn to deal with disappointment when they don't get that recognition they hoped for, but still they go back week after week giving it their best shot.

I pay for my kid to learn to make and accomplish goals.

I pay for my kid to respect not only themselves, but also their teachers and fellow music makers.

I pay for my kid to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to play and sing beautifully, and that most successes do not happen overnight... but also that sometimes being prepared and in the right place at the right time yields the most lucky of breaks.

I pay for my kid to be proud of small achievements and to work toward long term goals.

I pay for the opportunity my kid has and will have to make life-long friendships, create life-long memories, and to be as proud of their achievements as I am.

I pay so my kid can be creating something beautiful instead of always being in front of a screen or device.