Keep music rooted in lived reality, memory, and emotion, even when experimenting formally.

Let personal experience, including identity and exile, deepen your art rather than narrow it.

Do not separate serious art from human warmth, lyricism, and accessible expression.

Use humor, vitality, and a spirit of play in art and in life.

Accept productivity as a virtue; prolific output is not a flaw if it is grounded in sincerity and craft.

Teach generously and help younger musicians develop their own individuality.