The Piano Girl Story

The admissions department at Interlochen requested that we write up the whole story of Piano Girl and her fundraising adventure. I know y'all know this story, but thought I would post it anyhow, as it took me a couple of hours to get it written up! What do you think?

Proud Mama LB

I suppose it all started when Piano Girl was two years old, and we found her plucking out Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the toy piano-not with one finger, but with both hands on the keys. She begged us for piano lessons as a three and four-year-old, and began lessons at the tender age of five. She took lessons for about 6 months before her then teacher pulled me aside one day and told me she was unsure how long she would be able to teach our daughter, as she seemed very talented, and even at this young age, was a very driven pianist. If she didn’t sit at the piano for at least an hour every day, she would become cranky.

When she was 9 years old, she came to her father and I and told us she had decided when she grew up she wanted to become a professional pianist. Piano practice took up more and more of her time, and she thrived.

At the age of 11, she told us she had amended her life goal. We both experienced a sharp intake of breath, wondering what she would say. “I have decided that I don’t just want to be a pianist, I want to be the best pianist in the whole world.” With the determination and dedication she had shown up to this point, we had no doubt she could achieve this goal.

Piano Girl was accepted at Interlochen last summer, but she was unable to attend due to a lack of funds. Undaunted, she applied again, and was determined to attend. With the award of a merit scholarship from Interlochen Center for the Arts, the fundraising began. Piano Girl was determined to do whatever it took to make it to Interlochen, and we were committed to supporting her goals.

Piano Girl raises chickens and sells their eggs, and has many regular customers. She also chicken-sits regularly for a family who own 30 chickens, her payment being that she can sell their eggs also. She has recently begun teaching piano lessons to two young students and is currently seeking more. Last summer, she held a very successful first solo recital. She is currently investigating options for future fundraising, from getting more chickens, to earning money by recording piano pieces for a digital recording studio.

Following the success of last year’s recital, she decided to hold another one this summer. With the support of her current piano teacher, she prepared and presented an hour long program, playing pieces from Bergmuller to Granados. This became a community project involving over 400 people,with the community pulling together to support Piano Girl. Everyone went out of their way to donate time, effort and money, providing everything from food for the recital, to frequent flyer miles. The internet community became involved as well, with donations accepted through the blog we created to keep people updated, as well as a friend hosting a raffle on her company website, all profits going to the Piano Girl Fund. The whole event was a huge success, and all of her expenses have been covered.

Through this experience, Piano Girl is learning that she in control of her life and can make her dreams happen. We are so proud of her and can’t wait to see how she grows during her stay at Interlochen. She is looking forward to being surrounded by a community of musicians, where others live and breathe music as she does. She tells us it looks like a nurturing and safe environment. “I hope I can be an inspiration to others who want to pursue their dreams.”