Some of my most vivid childhood memories include a unique soundtrack. No, not the radio…but rather, my mom’s piano students playing in our family room for hours every afternoon when we got home from school. My sister and I got to know the lesson books so well that we could predict exactly how our mother would critique a particular song after a student finished playing it. I guess that’s why it seemed so natural for me to start teaching lessons of my own when I was ready to get my first job.
Since then, I’ve taken on more and more students, and my mother and I have become coworkers in a sense. We brainstorm together, substitute teach for each other, and once a year, we join forces to organize a huge piano recital. For the past 5 years, we have been incredibly lucky to hold it at the Nevin’s Memorial Library in Methuen – a beautiful big hall with plenty of seating and wonderful acoustics.
As much as I look forward to the recital all year, it’s always a bit of a relief when it’s over. My students may get butterflies before playing their songs, but I am one big nervous mess the entire time! I want so badly for each and every student to have a good time and come away from the experience feeling proud. I think I can say with confidence that all of my students met – and exceeded – my hopes and expectations for them this year. Now it’s time to start getting ready for next year!
