Advice to parents of young performers

"Ya done good, kid!" That’s what my mother has been saying for 50+ years,  after every professional show or concert, college or high school performance, and elementary school music program. She was never very effusive with her praise, but she never discouraged me, no matter how mediocre my performance. She never ever put pressure on me to win or to be the best. Mom’s neutral attitude gave me the freedom to own my own performances without worry about trying to make her proud. I just knew that she was proud, no matter what. My advice to parents of young performers: Don't faun and fuss; don't criticize and compare. Just be there for your kid, drive them to practices, maybe sew a costume, help build a set, bring snacks, and applaud proudly from the audience. (Hopefully not from behind your phone screen.) Be there. Be present. It makes a big difference to your child, if they say it doesn’t matter. It matters. Thanks, mom.