I started my journey into music before I could remember. My mother would sing me to sleep so I suppose that's where it all started. My parents tell me that there was a time in my life when we did not have our short, black upright, but either I don't remember or I don't want to remember. Then, at some point, we got our piano. I vaguely remember going to 'piano lessons' as a four year old with my older sister. It was a vain endeavor due to my age, except that it instilled a love of music into me. Then I would tinker around on the notes. I created a little melody when I was 5 or so and it was my first real song. I played it over and over, my mom complimenting me on my composing skills. I wish I could remember that tune. I've found that to keep your strength, you need to work on it. Original music is like that; I've lost too many songs by not playing them often enough.

I took lessons here and there from age 8 to 14. Some were helpful and some weren't. When I was 15, we stumbled on a master pianist who had a great teaching method. I accelerated and really learned how to read music.

Now I spend hours sometimes on my piano.( I say it's mine because I use it by far the most out of all my family.) I read and write music almost everyday. I am excited to see where I will be in music 20 years form now. But I take each day one day at a time. One song at a time.

 Shem