By Bernice Loi, Co-Editor In Chief
My passion for playing piano began with an obligation. Similar to a lot of other Asian American families, my parents made me suffer through weekly lessons hoping that I could one day impress everyone. I had zero interest in learning how to hit black and white keys, but I continued that aimless cycle for 11 years. Although my skills progressed rapidly, I seemed to improve at nothing but my ability to tolerate playing the piano.
No one—not even all four of the instructors I went through—could teach me how to fall in love with piano music. Only I could, but I didn’t know how. It seemed like a waste of time because it distracted me from schoolwork and hobbies.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, freeing me from my lessons. Once I stopped practicing, the sudden liberation felt like a breath of fresh air. However, after distance learning began managing schoolwork soon became increasingly difficult to handle, but I no longer had an outlet where I could cool down and take my mind off of my responsibilities.
The absence of practicing my piano skills made me realize how much it helped me de-stress during hard times. Now with a newfound purpose, I resumed my piano career and developed an interest in having sight reading sprees whenever I needed to disconnect myself from the stress of school, relationships or world news. Something that once seemed tedious transformed into something thrilling. Playing the piano again gave me a creative outlet to express my emotions or entertain my family with relaxing music, which was the most rewarding part.
Finding your passion doesn’t always need to start with exploration; it also depends on timing and understanding your needs. Though my piano journey had a rough start, it evolved into a passion that guided me through hardships and surpassed my own expectations. My passion for piano-playing became more like a continuous climb towards the peak of a mountain—and an endless crescendo to the top.