ALEXANDER GOLD

I have been studying pianofor eight years. As a six year old, I remember my parents telling me that practicing piano will teach me discipline and help me develop an extracurricular activity that I enjoy. But in the beginning I didn’t really enjoy piano. I would always just play my half hour of practice, with no emotion, counting down the minutes left. Before seeing Dr. Lam, my idea of piano was of how many notes I could play correct. More importantly how quickly I could get done with practice. But, my studies with Dr. Lam, taught me that anyone can play the notes right, and the true musicianship is shown by what is played outside the notes. This epiphany boosted my enjoyment from playing and performing music. In addition, I my appreciation for creating music has increased significantly.

With Dr. Lam I competed in the Cecilian Music Club Young Artist Competition, NJMEA Young Artist Competition, NJMTA Composer Commission Competition, Crescendo International Music Competition, and the NJMTA Ronald McDonald Children Helping Children Performathon. If I had not learned how to truly appreciate music from Dr. Lam, I am positive I would’ve quit piano years ago. I am currently a freshman enrolled in Pennsbury High School in Yardley PA and am continuing my piano studies with Phylis Lehrer at the Westminster Choir College. I play trumpet for the freshman band, and participate in the Marching Band and the Jazz Band, which I enjoy greatly.

I am proud to say that lessons from Dr. Lam have translated to both my school life and music life. Thanks to her, I know the dedication and effort it takes to produce high quality work, along with the feeling one receives after perfectly playing a performance. I know that while practicing, it is best to do things right the first time, so that I don’t create habits twenty times harder to reverse than to create. I believe that if I hadn’t been so inspired to pursue music, my life would be drastically different.