Mallory's Piano Festival & Recital

Mallory has been involved with two performances this spring. First, was the Spring Music Festival. Her teacher encouraged her to enter with two Suzuki songs (the first two of book 2) since she was learning them quicker than she expected. Mallory did not want to participate at first, but she finally decided she would do it. She has had a late start on piano, so she was competing against kids her own age that are far more advanced than her. I am so proud of her that she chose to participate anyway. Experiences like this are important to build discipline and confidence. It was at the high school in an empty, echoey auditorium with 2 judges. When her name was called, had to walk up on the stage and then perform their two songs-extremely intimidating. She was shaking (along with her mother!) as she was waiting and walking up there (you could hear every step--I was dying) but she got it together and played nearly perfect. Wow. And she looked gorgeous with her new Easter dress and her hair pulled up. Plus, she got to miss school for an hour. If I can figure out how to download a short video from my phone, I will put in one of the songs she played at the festival, but on the video, it's a duet with her teacher at a practice during regular lessons. She played the duet in the spring recital (a different event 2 weeks later) with just the students for her teacher.

Here she is at the festival right outside the auditorium-her teacher, Carla Cleavenger, took the photo:


One thing I need to mention about Mallory and piano-she does not fight about practicing. Not that she's perfect about it, but every time I remind her, she is happy to do it. She also practices on her own, in little bits and pieces. I'm so glad it's not a fight. Also, she has beautiful hands and her teacher mentions all the time how her fingers are so pretty and natural on the piano.