I went to a conservatory of music and had my expenses paid for the first year. Prior to embarking upon my long-held dream of attending music school, I had begun studying with the Witnesses. You can imagine the disappointment and anger of non-Witness kith and kin when I quit my education and became a JW.
What Sergei's dad says is not wholly untrue: the competition is tough, there are temptations, etc. Yet, only yesterday, I was feeling certain regrets. While preparing for a recording session of a vocal transposition I had made, I thought how much easier the entire process would be if I had finished my training. I am competent but not the brilliant pianist and composer and arranger I could have been. Who knows?
Oh, well. I did receive the world's most comprehensive education at Awake! University instead . . .