Discovering joy through music has been a constant thread throughout my life. From the moment I first sat down at a piano, I knew I had found my passion. Over the years, music has provided solace, comfort, and a sense of purpose. And when tragedy struck and I found myself as a widow with young children, music became a comfort.
Love From the Beginning
My first piano teacher nurtured my love for playing the piano. She was kind, patient and set high expectations that she knew I could meet. She encouraged me to play in church at a young age, which began a love for being a church pianist.
In high school, I joined the choir. My music teacher saw potential that I didn’t see and encouraged me to audition for the Chamber Singers, local and state competitions, and eventually colleges. He gave me the opportunity to accompany many of the choirs in our school, and my love for doing music every day multiplied. It was also during high school that I started teaching piano lessons, and found I loved it!
I went on to get a degree in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance, and once again had a teacher (professor) who held the bar high and encouraged me to reach it. I thrived under his guidance, and he is still a dear friend today!
While working on my degree, I was also singing in the choir, taking voice lessons, playing for several local churches and teaching my own piano students.
After graduation I worked as a choir director, school accompanist and started my own piano studio and have been teaching piano lessons ever since. My love for music has never waned, and I am so thankful for this gift from God that He created for our enjoyment.
Joy in DifficultyIn the face of adversity, music has remained a constant source of joy and fulfillment for me. It has the incredible power to heal, uplift, and connect. When my husband passed away, leaving me as a widow with young children, it was through music that I found a way to express emotions that words could not capture.
Now, as a musician and a mother, I am grateful for the resiliency that music has instilled in me. It has taught me the importance of pursuing passions, finding joy in simple moments, and embracing the healing power of music, and I love passing that on to others.
What is something you LOVE?? What are you doing that brings you JOY??
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