Hey friends! Don't worry, I'll change the layout so you can comment etc shortly. Other than the chaos that is Juxtap'art[y] the arts haven't been too too prevalent in my life. In all honesty, I'm glad to have a break from organized arts overload. It had been a bit much.
That said, I have totally delved into my inner virtuoso pianist. You see, piano was really my first true love. I started lessons at age 6 (after begging my mom to start earlier every time I heard my cousin John play). From then until about seventh grade, I was pretty steady with my work. That said, 6-12 is only 6 years of dedicated work. My teacher was one of the most incredible people I've ever known. Anyone who knows me knows that I respect and admire my arts professors and mentors more than just about anyone in my life. Lola Dill was the first of my great mentors. If I ever win some crazy award in the future (ha, wouldn't a Tony be nice?) she needs to be the first person I thank (don't worry, family members, you'll totally get mentioned too.) My piano lessons at that early age taught me musicianship and opened the world of composition and interpretation of music. Lola Dill was responsible for fostering an intense passion that I will enjoy for the rest of my life. You see, because piano led to dance, choirs, musical theatre, orchestra, a cappella choirs, and conducting, Mrs. Dill is technically responsible for the activities that make me happiest.
Wow, I ramble. The point is, she was incredible. Once she retired, however, I knew I needed a little break. I performed in dozens of recitals, competitions, and festivals (and Hockaday was getting harder) and I needed a break. In eighth grade, I tried taking from a friend's father (that was a bust) and by ninth grade I had essentially given up. Though I dabbled a bit my freshman and sophomore year, I pretty much left the keys alone. Junior year, I befriended John Aldous and he introduced me to Songs for a New World. We were in the dressing room before an evening performance of Anything Goes and he and Brooks Dennard we chatting about what the boys were playing in their dressing room. When I asked, they said "Katie Beth you HAVE to listen to it! It's Jason Robert Brown...it's amazing. Don't worry--I'll burn the Last Five Years for you." The rest is history. I fell madly in love with JRB (and still totally am) and started playing all of his music. When vocalists heard that I played those pieces, they went crazy. I started accompanying. This carried into college, though by first semester I had a few more songs under my belt that I could play. Through this process, my sightreading skills skyrocketed though my technical abilities remained as they were in seventh grade.
This semester I started taking lessons. Though they aren't going quite as wonderfully as I hoped, I'm being exposed to more pieces. My friend Laura is playing a gorgeous Chopin Nocturne that I adore. She copied it for me yesterday, and I've literally practiced a solid five hours on it the past two days alone. Maybe it's only going to be a brief thing, but at least for now, the pianist has returned.
I desire to learn concertos and sonatas. I want to play Rachmaninov C Minor Adagio (Mvmt 2) and Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1. I wish I hadn't quit in seventh grade, but I did. I'm only eighteen, and though I have a good six years of technical catching up to do, I think I'm finally ready to do it.
I'll be rusty for a little while, but I should be alright in a couple of years. Anyone who reads this is totally invited to my senior recital:)
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