After many years, I have finally gotten into and instrument I have been playing since I was young. Today, I got back into playing the piano. I was playing the piano for so long. I was like a human with four arms and forty fingers. I was so good. It all turned around when my piano teacher, Aaron Reitano was diagnosed with brain cancer. He didn't come to my house for a long time for any lessons, but I just kept on practicing to make myself feel good again. On my lesson that I had with him before he was diagnosed with cancer, he challenged me to practice for 21 minutes every day for 21 weeks. I thought I would never be able to do it, but I am one of those kids who likes a good challenge. So I was up for it. Although I wanted to stop so badly, I just kept on going. I practiced my songs, I practiced technique, theory and my chords. I was just about ready to quit until the last week came upon me. I thought to myself
"Ok. This is the last week. Yes it's tedious enough, but I really want to show Mr. Reitano my skills that I've practiced for so long."
I kept on pushing myself to the very last minute. By my next Wednesday lesson with him, I told him that I did it. I practiced every day for 21 minutes for 21 weeks. He told me that he knew that I could do it. He then handed me a trophy saying,
Aaron Reitano's Cup Cake Award
21 Weeks on the 88's
I felt so proud of myself when I received the trophy from him. The only thing I wanted from him was a smile. That is what I got in return. I had a few more lessons for a couple weeks, but then he disappeared for a very long time. That was when my Mom told me that Mr. Rae was diagnosed with brain cancer. I was okay with it for a little while, but it saddened me on the inside. I missed seeing him a lot. He really inspired me on the topic of music. He was the reason I started my career in singing and playing the saxophone. Then on February 20, 2012 he peacefully passed away in a hospital in Wayland. I didn't find out that he died for about another month, but when I did, I was so sad to hear the news. I could remember so many fun memories we had together. I remember a recital I had when I was eight, it was in the winter and as a small joke, he dressed up as Santa. Kinda corny, but come on, I was eight at the time. When I heard that he had died, I didn't play the piano for years. I would play my piano at home for a while, but I forgot all my songs that I had memorized, all my chords and all the technique I had learned. Gone.
Now, thanks to Molly Flannery, she has gotten me back into the instrument of piano. I am slowly reproducing my skills, new songs, better techniques and all 24 chords I used to know. I am playing Green Day, Coldplay, Adele and much more.
I want to give a small thanks to the both of them. Molly and Aaron. The both brought me into the world of music and I will never leave, ever again. I absolutely love music. It is one of my biggest passions that I have. Thank you both so much.
God Bless you, Aaron Reitano
R . I . P
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