Sources of My Identity

I remember the first time I touched a piano. I was four years old, and I sat at the small upright in our living room, attempting to play “Twinkle, Twinkle” by ear. I had heard others play it before, but nothing made me happier than learning to play it myself. I started lessons that year, and playing the piano quickly became my passion. I was excited to learn every kind of music; playing came naturally to me, and it served as a source of enjoyment and stress relief. I have been taking lessons for the past 12 years, and music has truly shaped the person I have become. Today, I accompany several choral groups, have participated in several piano competitions, and have had the opportunity to play in front of hundreds of people. Playing the piano has become is an integral part of who I am. Today, although I play Beethoven Sonatas rather than “Twinkle, Twinkle”, I still feel as happy playing as I did that first day almost 13 years ago. I can play the piano for hours without realizing that time has passed. Music has pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowed me to meet new people, and given me the opportunity to take on new challenges. It is something I will always be passionate about, and I know that music will continue to play an important role in my life.