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Kenny, you might consider doing what a few of us did in 2016. PianoTexas offered a "mini-session" at the end of the regular festival. This was basically a 3-day crash preparation for the Cliburn that included 3 recitals and two masterclasses. I would highly recommend it if you are planning to compete in the Cliburn, but prepare yourself for intense. We arrived for orientation around 4:00 PM. 3 hours later we were performing onstage!

One aspect of such events that I cannot under-stressed is that they are gatherings of kindred spirits.

Fort Worth was where I found my tribe. At every visit since 2007, when I first competed at the Cliburn (then known as IPCOA), new friendships were formed, and doors to new repertoire were opened.

To me, the tribe has been a life saver. I was in a terrible life situation, and being connected to my newly found tribe showed me what truly matter in my life. My life went through heck for much of the last 10 years, but music has returned to me as my constant companion, as it had been for much of my childhood. Along with the music came the tribe.

Thanks for being my tribe.

Or maybe just +1

In addition to the events (competitions, festivals) that have established the friendships and mutual support mechanisms underpinning our respective tribes, I would cite PianoWorld's forums, including in particular this very one. Of course, virtual interaction is never as meaningful as the real thing, but I certainly feel that the community, shared interests, and comity (for the most part!) of this online group have helped me in my rediscovery of the joys and passions of music making and the pleasure that comes even from just talking about music with kindred spirits, as Ken so aptly described us.

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