"Not an End but a New Beginning", by Eileen Zheng

           Eileen at Young Artist Musicale, GMU

On New Year’s Eve, as I sat in my family room watching the annual ball drop, I could not believe that 2015 is going to be the year that I graduate and leave for college. Although there will be many changes taking placing in my life this year, there is one that I am most reluctant to embrace: leaving Ms. Silva’s piano studio after almost ten years. Being a part of this studio and this large family has brought me so many fond memories and valuable experiences that cannot all be expressed in a few, short paragraphs. But whether it’s enjoying Halloween cupcakes during theory group lessons or performing one of my favorite pieces, Mendelssohn’s Etude in F Major, at the DiCapo Opera Theatre in New York City, I have truly enjoyed every moment of my journey. I’m hoping that time will slow down a bit during these next sixth months. Recalling all of the fond memories, experiences, and knowledge from my past ten years of studying the piano, I don’t ever want to say goodbye to participating in piano competitions or sitting down for weekly lessons with Ms. Silva.

However, as I think about the endless possibilities that await me in the future, I am excited to have learned so much from Ms. Silva, from practicing technique and understanding music theory to exploring the masterpieces of Kabalevsky, Bach, and Scarlatti, just some examples of the numerous classical maestros. Learning piano with Ms. Silva has allowed me to explore my creativity and hands-on abilities outside of school. More importantly, it has built my self-confidence, performing on-stage in front of hundreds of audience members. Whether it’s for a recital, competition, or charity concert, the sound of roaring applause is such a priceless reward that playing the piano has allowed me to experience.

I cannot wait to continue to pursue my passion for piano in college and to share all of the knowledge that I have gained with my new community. My future is uncertain, but one thing’s for sure. 2015 will not be an end to my journey of studying the piano but rather a new beginning.