12/19/2025
I firmly believe that a large part of our role as piano teachers is to teach our students how the piano can be a refuge and a comfort and a place to call home, especially when words aren't enough. I recently heard from my best friend who just moved a couple of hours away that within 5 minutes of them arriving at their new home (the piano was moved earlier), one of their teens sat down at the piano to just...play. Within an hour, all of their children had sat down at the piano to just ...play. To feel at home in the midst of a major transition. To perhaps calm their anxiety or to express excitement.
All 5 of their children have been my students. In jest I might say, "My job is done here!" and imitate a mic drop. But THIS moment was a highlight in my career and I shed happy and very bittersweet tears. This wasn't about trophies or ribbons or superiors or competitions - those are fleeting. This was about seeing the piano and using it to express yourself musically for no one but yourself, to feel and say what words cannot, and to go to it for comfort and stability in a chaotic moment. 🥹 -Tara
