Why Commitment Comes Before Passion

March 2026 | by Ricardo Veiga

One of the most interesting things I have observed while working with families at the Oklahoma Academy of Music & Fine Arts (OAMFA) is that the word commitment means something slightly different for every student and every family.

At first glance, commitment seems straightforward: attending lessons regularly, practicing, and making steady progress. But in reality, commitment often develops in different ways—and sometimes in a different order than we expect.

Many people assume that passion comes first. A child discovers something they love, and commitment naturally follows. But in many cases, the opposite is true. Very often, commitment is what eventually creates passion.

Consider Johnny. Johnny enjoys his piano lessons and rarely misses a class. Some weeks he practices diligently; other weeks he barely touches the piano. But there is one activity where his commitment is undeniable: soccer. Johnny attends every practice, every game, and his enthusiasm for the sport is clear.

In Johnny’s world, soccer sits at the top of his commitment list. Piano comes just below it. His parents recognize the value of music education and make sure he attends lessons regularly, even though soccer clearly occupies most of his energy. And that’s perfectly fine. Music does not always need to begin as a child’s primary passion in order to become meaningful.

Now consider Mary. Mary is quite different. She isn’t particularly interested in sports, but music captured her imagination early. She practices almost every day and rarely misses a lesson. For Mary, piano is not simply an activity—it is something that genuinely excites her. Her parents recognize this enthusiasm and support her musical growth. In Mary’s case, interest came first, and commitment quickly followed.

Johnny and Mary represent two clear examples. But most families fall somewhere in between. In fact, many parents today face a very common dilemma.

Children are naturally curious and energetic. They want to try soccer, dance, piano, basketball, theater, robotics, gymnastics, and a dozen other activities. Exploring different interests is healthy and important. It helps children discover what excites them and exposes them to new experiences.

But eventually, parents often find themselves saying a familiar phrase: “You have to pick one thing. Choose something and stick with it.” This moment can feel frustrating for both parents

and children.

On one hand, children need the freedom to explore. Trying different activities is part of discovering who they are and what they enjoy. Exposure to a variety of experiences can be incredibly valuable.

On the other hand, constantly jumping from one activity to another prevents something equally important from developing: the rewards that only come from commitment.

Many of life’s most meaningful experiences do not reveal themselves immediately. Whether it is music, athletics, science, or the arts, the deeper satisfaction often appears only after patience, repetition, and sustained effort. In other words, sometimes the joy arrives after the commitment has already begun.

This is why the journey often looks something like this: Curiosity → Action → Commitment → Interest → Passion.

Curiosity motivates a child to try something new. Action begins the experience. Commitment keeps the door open long enough for real progress to happen. And progress is what fuels interest.

When a student finally plays a piece that once seemed impossible, something changes. Confidence grows. Music becomes less mysterious and more personal. What once felt like effort begins to feel like accomplishment. Over time, that growing sense of accomplishment can evolve into something deeper—passion.

At Oklahoma Academy of Music & Fine Arts, our goal is not simply to teach children how to play an instrument. Our goal is to help students experience the profound rewards that come from dedication, patience, and persistence.

We also understand that every student’s journey is different. Some begin like Mary, with immediate enthusiasm. Others begin more like Johnny, balancing music alongside other interests. Both paths are perfectly valid.

What matters most is that students remain engaged long enough to experience the transformation that commitment can bring. Because sometimes passion leads to commitment. But very often, commitment is what creates passion.

And helping young people discover that truth may be one of the most valuable lessons we can offer them—not only in music, but in life.

A final thought for parents: In a world filled with distractions and endless choices, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to experience what happens when they stay with something long enough to grow. Passion rarely appears overnight—but with patience, encouragement, and commitment, it often emerges in ways we never expected. And when it does, the rewards can last a lifetime.