Senior Recital

Yesterday I played my senior recital.

Let me just start by saying I am the most blessed person. Blessed with love of friends and family immeasuarble.

I was so nervous and stressed all week. I was so wrapped up in my own worry that I could barely look outside myself and be a good friend to other people.

On Friday it dawned on me. This recital, although it was a culmination of all my piano studies to this point, it was not about me. It was about my parents. My family. My good friends. All the people that have sacrificed so I could be the best I could. So I could have the opportunities I've had. I needed to let go of the stupid worry of "what if I mess up" and just play for the people I loved that came to support me. Debby and Tody Wanlass. who came all the way from Reno, my mom and dad who flew in, Dwight who drove from Provo, my roommates Jessica, Dani, Ashten, and Ashlee who blessed me with beautiful flowers, a beautiful necklace and earrings, and most of all their love and good wishes. It was such a good day and I just feel so blessed it's indescribable.

Saturday, I was anxious of course, even though I was trying to give myself little pep talks. And then Dad came and gave me a blessing. He blessed me with calmness and control, that I would play to the best of my abilities, but the thing he said in the blessing that I really grabbed onto was that I would have the Holy Ghost with me as I played.

I was nervous almost until the very beginning. But when I got out on the stage to play, this overwhelming confidence and comfort filled my heart. I was happy to be out there playing the music I loved for the people I loved. My mind became clear. I didn't have the usual hesitation, the usual rush of blood to my face if something went wrong, I was just me playing like I was in a practice room, comfortable and happy. I played some duets, one with my friend Sasha, who plays amazingly, and another two with Anastassia, my teacher's daughter.Those both went well. Playing duets is always fun when you have great duet partners. And I played some Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, and Gershwin solos.

Overall I feel really good about how things went. Which with a larger program, it is hard for me to be happy with everything. But I really am.

I don't have pictures to put up yet as they are on my dad's camera, but I will post them in a little bit.

Music has been a large part of my life for a very long time, and I have taken for granted how much of a blessing it really is. But yesterday, I felt so lucky to be able to play piano. To have the ability to make music if I want to. To bring music to other people. It is truly a gift from my Heavenly Father. This is all personal to me, but I want everyone to know how much I love them and the support they have shown me through the years. I couldn't have done it without that. 

I know Heavenly Father wants me to be happy and He has put so many wonderful blessing in my life that I would be the most ungrateful person if I allowed little things to upset me. Yesterday was a sign of His love for me. I know that one of the greatest ways He shows His love is through others and I felt it so strongly yesterday. Life is gooood=)

Anastassia

For almost all the three years I've been here, I have been helping my teacher, Dr. Gliadkovsky's daughter Anastassia practice. She has an amazing ear, will figure things out just by listening, and has great technique. Helping her with piano has probably helped me more than it has helped her and she keeps me on my toes:) I have always enjoyed working with her, becoming her friend, and being a part of her life. She is so cute, tells me about her friends at school, and gets me gifts every time they go on vacations or tours, and makes me anklets out of colored yarn. Here is a picture of a Toucan whistle she got me in Costa Rica and a shell necklace she made, also from Costa Rica.

 

 Tonight, I got to go to her ballet. Not only is she great at piano, but she is a great ballerina. It was A Midsummer Night's Dream, based on Shakespeare's play and music composed by Mendelssohn. THe ballet was by George Balanchine.

Here is a picture of her in a Butterfly Fairy costume.

  Look at those toes! It looks painful, I know I could never do that:)

Anyway, I am almost done with my time here at SUU and am moving back to Reno. Although I feel like it's the right thing for me to do, I am going to miss many things about Cedar, especially working with Anastassia. She has been a great friend and I will keep in touch with her because she is a very smart and talented girl and will accomplish many great things in her life.