We make the oldest stories new when we succeed, and we are trapped by the old stories when we fail

Listening is like running down a mountain on a switchback trail, the sound of surprise generating its own momentum. There’s a punk glee inside the bluegrass craft–and a punk vehemence inside the bluegrass smile.

You're going to react to a painting in a way that the painting demands you react.

Elvis transcends his talent to the point of dispensing with it altogether.

It is a sure sign that a culture has reached a dead end when it is no longer intrigued by its myths.

We make the oldest stories new when we succeed, and we are trapped by the old stories when we fail

I learned that when something just has to be said to move the discussion along, or broaden it or deepen it, if I can just keep my mouth shut for five minutes a student will say it. So for me a lot of teaching is about keeping my mouth shut.