My first piano teacher George Assemany, was the organist at the catholic church where I attended grade school.  I grew up in Northwest Detroit, and went to Christ the King Grade School.  The school is one of two Detroit Catholic Schools that is still open to this day.  He had been the organist at my mother's church growing up, so my mom had known this man for many years.  He was an exceptional organist and could sing almost anything in Latin.  Mr.Assemany would take his pointer stick and put it under your wrists to hold them up.  I don't think his technique was very effective, but nonetheless, that was his focus.  If you played a piece flawlessly, you got a large gold star.  If you didn't play it flawlessly, he would write in large cursive what you were doing incorrectly.

As years passed, I learned that he scared some of my other classmates away from the piano.  But for me, even the things that bothered me about him, didn't deter me from loving the piano.  Nothing ever stopped me from loving the piano nothing.  I dreamed even as a six, seven and eight year old, that I would own a 6 foot black grand piano.  Yes, that was basically my dream.

I think my mom who was musical in her own right, but not a pianist, knew that another teacher might be better for me.  But nevertheless, Mr. Assemany taught me the notes, the staff, the clefs and basic rhythm and for that I am eternally grateful.