Welcome back, everyone!
   Today I am going to tell you my piano history (short form!).
It all began back when I was spending a lot of time at our pastor's house because of some difficulties in my family. His three daughters played piano. And one day one of them began to teach my younger sibling how to play. Well, as the oldest child (around age eight) I couldn't let my younger sibling do something I couldn't, now could I? I immediately began to learn. That patient girl went back and forth between us, teaching us the notes and the basic beginner songs. But it wasn't taken that seriously. I did start taking lessons, but I NEVER practiced! Maybe one day a week! How awful!!! Horror of horrors to a music teacher!
   Well, as those girls got married and moved away, I took at least one lesson from each of them. Two of the three girls taught me, and I do thank them for their investment in my future. They would not have known what they were starting!
   When I was about eleven, I changed to a new teacher-a RCM registered teacher who was very professional and wanted me to practice. My practices changed from a small, (possibly) cheap keyboard to a touch-sensitive keyboard that allowed me to practice my lacking dynamics. That was just the beginning of my serious piano life. I was in the prep RCM course.
   At age twelve, hormones kicked in. I hated piano-never wanted to play it again. I just hated it. So I'd play a song really bad. Then I'd want to play it correctly. My frustration and hormones found a release in the instrument I "hated"-and the instrument that helped save my sanity!
   When I was thirteen, several things happened that provided a catalyst in my journey. One, cancer hit my family. To relieve stress, I played piano. Two, we actually got a real piano that I enjoyed playing. Three, I worked hard and got a bronze and gold at music festival, and was asked to perform at the special concert. I received a medal. I see it now. I also entered a composition festival, and received a bronze medal. What a year! And with all my practicing, I got to skip the third level. We would go to the fourth level.
   Last summer, I worked a bit on the fifth, sixth, and seventh levels of RCM. This fall I started RCM Grade 8! Wow! What a shock! I had gotten from prep to Grade 8 in about five years. This year was once again difficult as I struggled with piano. There were many days where I felt like I was drowning in it. It was not nice. I had to quit teaching one of my students, as they only argued with me about their music. One of my students quit without warning about a month ago. I still have one student whom I adore, but find challenging as I search for ways to teach music in a fun and easy way. I am working on high school, and find life busy. Yet my piano is there. I really need a new piano, one that will help me become a more refined student. I am working toward becoming a RCM registered teacher.
   I love my piano teacher-she is a friend as well as an amazing musician. She is a role model for me on so many levels, and she is encouraging in my journey with music. After a move, I still take lessons from her, by FaceTime. I hope that someday I can teach like her!
   So there you have my music journey. How about sharing your journey with me? Comments are greatly welcome!
   God bless!
   Indi