As Valentine's Day approaches, I have a fond recollection of teaching a beginner adult student and retiree who was newly widowed and who was seeking a new outlet in his life after having spent a long time taking care of his beloved wife before she succumbed to illness.
Learning to play the piano after a career in finance was something completely new to him, but he was full of curiosity about the endeavor. He asked me great questions during his lessons and decided to be all in to his studies and invested in good gear to get himself going at the piano. He came to show a knack for singing and playing love songs at the piano, in particular, and he showed a zest for taking on new music.
Over time, this student eventually became so good, he came to take on the playing of “Piano Man” which was a huge milestone for him. I was so happy for him, and he was well on his way to tackling ever more music independently.
Then, in an amazing twist of fate, he came to meet a new life partner and his life and schedule completely changed to make more time for his new love and their life together. They eventually moved to another state and, although, he had to move on from piano lessons, he was happy to tell me that he now sings and plays his music for her.
This kind of heartwarming story is a one of a kind story among my music teaching experiences over the past decade at Marcheselli Music Studio, and is simply one of the many reasons that I teach piano and teach music. It is gratifying to play a small role in helping to bring joy back into the lives of my students through piano lessons, if they were in a pretty tough place before lessons. It is awesome to feel the ripple effect of that joy in their lives and how it goes on to expand their worlds.