CECILIA LOH

I consider myself a good old midwesterner, born and raised in Ohio for the majority of my life. Growing up, I was blessed with 2 very loving parents who provided me with a multitude of learning opportunities, including music lessons at an early age. I started learning violin with the Suzuki method at age 3, and I started piano at age 5. Dr. Lam is the first piano teacher that I can remember. I can also still remember how anxious she was for my hands to grow bigger so that I could play octaves and bigger pieces. :) Sadly, it seemed like soon after that finally happened, she had to move and could no longer be my teacher. I came to enjoy music very much. When I attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio for college, I decided to double major in music (piano performance) and psychology.

After undergrad, I stayed at Case Western an additional 5 years for medical school and public health training. Though music has always been an important part of my life, I felt that my calling was to become a doctor, and eventually to become a medical missionary in a a developing country. Now I am in Cooperstown, New York, training to be a general surgeon in a 5 year residency program. I'm finishing up my 4th year and looking forward to graduating (finally!) next year. After I graduate next year, I plan on going to a foreign country (probably somewhere in Africa) to work as a medical missionary through an organization called Samaritan's Purse. And in case you're wondering, yes I am very old!Although work keeps me quite busy, I do find some time to relax and enjoy the piano. My music training has also allowed me to help lead worship and singing at church, which I enjoy greatly. Though I did not always enjoy practicing piano as a child, I'm very grateful now for all the hours I did spend practicing and taking lessons. I believe that I not only benefited musically but also as a person because it taught me discipline and commitment, qualities that are so crucial for success in many other areas of life, including my work as a surgeon.