I love music and have wanted to be a musician for a long time. I decided on being a music therapist during my first year of high school and just thinking about it makes me really excited for the future. However, I took my first piano lesson at age 14 and, despite being told I am talented and a fast learner, I am afraid it was too late. I also started playing percussion at 15, but with the same problem. Before, I knew it would be difficult to get where I needed to be and was willing to work for it- practising 8 or 9 hours a week and speeding through dozens of music theory lessons- but now things seem to be falling apart. I can barely get through half an hour of practice and often give up after 20 minutes. I get so nervous I perform with half the capacity I usually can, I get fed up and depressed because of my slow progress, and it has taken me over a month to get through not even a quarter of an exam piece. I also have nightmares about failing exams, being kicked out of my music studio, and being told I'm not good enough. I want nothing more than to be a music therapist, but I can't do that if I can't play. Are there any musicians out there who had the same problem and got through it? I'm starting to lose hope.