by Linda Silva
Last weekend we had our Little Fingers recital for young beginners followed by our Classical recital for more advanced students. I was reminded that one of the (many) nice things about being in music education for a long time is getting to see students go from not knowing where middle C is to playing a Mussorgsky piece so well it leaves you breathless. I’ve taught two-year-olds in my toddler classes who have gone on to be accepted into college music programs. Witnessing that trajectory—lesson by lesson, recital by recital, year by year—is a privilege. While not every student follows that path, enough do to remind me why I like owning a music school.
Children aren’t the only ones who progress. I can name several adult students who came in as beginners who are now playing advanced pieces, and playing them well. A few of these adults didn’t even start until retirement. They’d always wanted to play, and now they can.
In every case, young or old, there is a stick-to-itiveness I admire. They’re in it for as long as it takes, even when it gets frustrating, even when a piece is boring, even when they have a million other things that need to get done. Still they show up week after week for lessons, and day after day to practice. It could be they themselves don’t notice how these small accomplishments build into something impressive, but I certainly do. And it’s inspiring every time.