April 2026 Newsletter - A Beginner at 78

Dear friends,

I hope this note finds you well and that spring is bringing a little freshness into your days.

During the past 15 months, I have watched my now 78-year-old mother grow from a complete beginner at the piano into a true piano student. (Some of you may remember that she began last year through Simple & Beautiful Piano for Adult Beginners.)

She makes time for practicing her pieces, sightreading, and technical exercises. She has even begun playing hymns on her own.

She also lives with glaucoma, to the point that watching television for long stretches is no longer easy. Yet she tells me that reading music on paper is something her eyes often handle better.

Most of all, she continues to challenge herself to learn new things because she loves the joy and sense of achievement that come after working through something that once felt impossible.

As my courses have grown and new students have joined from around the world, I have also had the unexpected privilege of seeing an entirely new side of my mother.

Seeing your parent as a loving parent is one kind of blessing.

Seeing your parent as an extraordinary human being is another.

It reminded me again that progress at the piano does not always need to be dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a few faithful steps, repeated over time.

And sometimes it begins again.

With Mother’s Day approaching, it may also be a lovely season to learn a meaningful new piece or revisit one that brings warmth to the heart.

Whether you are just beginning or deepening your path, I hope you continue steadily.

Music grows quietly.

Thank you for being here.

Warmly,
Kristina