Finding My Way Back to Practicing Piano – RCM Celebration of Excellence

From burnout to joy: how preparing for the RCM Level 10 exam reignited my love of music and earned me a Regional Gold Medal and Invitation to the Celebration of Excellence Recital..

This week, I received some very exciting news: I earned a Regional Gold Medal and was selected to perform at the RCM Celebration of Excellence for the North Central Region for my May 2025 exam. Out of 12 states, my RCM Level 10 exam earned the highest score. I’m thrilled and honored, and I can’t wait to perform.

RCM gives medals for Regional and National Top Scores at each level

Why This Matters

On paper, this shouldn’t be a huge milestone. I already have a doctorate in piano performance, which proves I can play. But music, like athletics, is “use it or lose it.”

I started piano at six, practiced steadily through my school years, and earned five collegiate degrees in music. By the end of my doctorate, though, I was burnt out. Between difficult adjunct experiences and realizing I didn’t want a higher-ed career, I stopped practicing altogether. For nearly ten years, practicing and performing piano slipped away from my daily life.

A wake-up call came when I almost applied for a university job—but realized I had nothing prepared to play. I was embarrassed and surprised at how much I’d let myself slip. That’s when I decided to sign up for an RCM Level 9 exam to put myself in my students’ shoes. Preparing for it rekindled my love of music. From there, I set my sights on Level 10.

Consistent practice is key for any performance.

Preparing for the RCM Exam

Level 10 is demanding. My program included:

• Two etudes

• A Bach Prelude and Fugue

• Two movements from a Classical Period Sonata

• A Romantic piece

• Two works from the 20th–21st century

• Plus: scales, technical patterns, sight reading, ear training, and theory and history exams
  

Altogether, it was a 30-minute program spanning 300 years of music.

To prepare, I booked lessons with former teachers, practiced hard, and aimed for a national gold medal. Then life threw me a curveball: my husband was injured six weeks before the exam. My practice time evaporated, and I nearly backed out.

In the end, I decided to honor the work I had done. I accepted slower tempos and point deductions for using scores, but I showed up and played. To my joy, I passed, and am very excited to learn I earned the top score in my region.

So excited to receive this email!

More Than a Medal- RCM Celebration of Excellence

This award isn’t just about recognition. For me, it represents:

• Consistency in practice—both in quality and quantity

• Acceptance of where I am—strengths, weaknesses, and all

• Reigniting my love for music after a decade away
  

Instead of avoiding my weaknesses, I’m learning to strengthen them. Instead of forcing myself to love only the results, I’m learning to love the process again.

Two years ago, I wouldn’t have believed this was possible. Today, I’m excited for the journey ahead.

Kari Johnson Barroso is a pianist, business owner, and Jiu-Jitsu competitor. In her mid-40s, she’s chasing big goals, managing the chaos, and proving it’s never too late to fight for the life you want — even if it means hugging the world with your legs.