I have studied piano a lot when I was a child but after going into a profession in the medical field I stopped. Much like a foreign language, lack of practice results in reduced ability to play at a high level.  More than that, a part of my life was missing. Being without my instrument and living in a small apartment meant I had to essentially give up the piano. After about 15 years of being there, I finally began playing again.  But with such a long time without appropriate teaching, many aspects of my playing suffered: technique, voicing, rhythms, passion, and a lack of understanding of the literature that I was reading and playing. I felt that I had lost a large part of myself and needed to get it back. I came across Irina Pevzner after one of the benefit concerts I participated in. She came up and suggested I get back to studying again.  Wow, I thought, what an amazing opportunity, as I knew of Irina—fingers of gold, but could she teach this old bag how to understand and play music the right way again? It was clear after our first lesson that my life was about to change…not only my skills, but my inner-self would change. The cerebral activity was back, my passion for learning, studying, performing, and understanding the music came back.  I know for the first time what the composers wanted to portray in the pieces I’m studying.  She has taught me how to feel the music. Beyond that, the growth of me as a pianist plays second fiddle to how I have grown as a person.  I have become more creative in other aspects of life, which I believe is due to her tutelage. The lessons are energizing and empowering and a true joy that I look forward to as a respite from my busy schedule. Classical piano for me is a life’s mission, it can have positive effects on many other aspects of your life if you let it.