BY WENDY ZHANG
As a music student, I felt incredibly lucky to be taught by each of my private piano teachers – they were mentors and role models throughout the different stages of my childhood. I started learning the piano when I was 3 years old, and my journey of studying lasted almost 20 years throughout my teens and well into adulthood.
I moved to Australia from China in my early teens, yet I never stopped learning. I had piano teachers of different nationalities, personalities, and backgrounds – all of whom taught me so much, not just about music, but life in general through the lens of music. They helped me build my confidence and self-esteem, and shaped and defined who I have become today.
Throughout my years of studying, there was never once an external factor that made me stop learning, even though I moved to a different country at age 13, had to learn a new language and adjust to different school systems, did HSC and went to university, and experienced heartbreaks like many teens along the way. Piano practice and lessons were always a constant in my life, and I was grateful for it. If I had stopped due of any of these reasons, I probably would have quit for good and never reached the level of maturity and confidence I have now.
I followed the footsteps of my piano teachers and became one myself, teaching private students at my home studio for the past 10 years. I was happy and content.
Then, the coronavirus came and everything changed.
Major events and concerts have been cancelled, studio recitals postponed, students and parents afraid to come to lessons, and everyone worried about their health and safety. Music teachers’ Facebook groups exploded overnight with posts of uncertainty and cries for help.
Teachers around the world have grown scared. They want to do the best thing for their students and their own community’s health and safety, so they are switching to teaching online. But a lot of students and parents are not so supportive of such a drastic change. I’ve heard stories of many dropping out, and some teachers giving up on fighting for this career they’ve built up for so long. I’ve been heartbroken to see so many of my peers in such a difficult position – so uncertain about their future, and worried about their safety and career.
I then imagined myself as a student in the current time. Would I quit, postpone my lessons, or continue to learn regardless?
The answer was loud and clear. I would continue learning with my teacher, and I would do online lessons, which bring no pandemic risk for me and my family. I would hate to stop my music, especially in a chaotic time like now. What else would I do except practise my piano if schools are closed? How else would I contain my negative emotions than to play the songs I love?
We are blessed to have amazing technology and platforms that would offer us the comfort of learning from the same teacher without leaving home. Having this option now is better than having no option. Studying online is definitely better than not being able to study at all, and I would 100 per cent embrace it if I were a student today.
When I look back at my journey of learning the piano, I feel proud that even though I moved country and had to navigate a totally new school environment, I kept studying piano with teachers, and never stopped until I was really confident in my abilities to perform and pass down knowledge to students of my own.
I went through a massive cultural shock, loneliness, and heartbreak in my teens – but having piano in my life made me get through all this unscathed, and grow into a much stronger self.
If you are currently studying with a teacher, or have a kid who is studying, I urge you to consider continuing lessons with your music teacher and support the wonderful music community they’ve created. There are many things we can’t control in the world, like the coronavirus. But what we can control is to continue having lessons and loving music. This is what will help you get through this crisis, and become better and more confident musicians at the other end.
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If you like, you can say thanks to Wendy for volunteering her time for Australian arts journalism. No amount too much or little.
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