Katherine Lemon

Sometimes I get bored with the day to day of my law practice.  Today I decided to scout on the internet for my Grade 7-12 piano teacher Katherine Lemon!

She was so amazing.  She died in 2005 when she was 94.  First and foremost she graduated from  Oberlin.  You don't need to say anything else about that, because of course she had the highest of standards.

I realize now when I look at her pencil notations in my music, that she is still there in an advisory role, you know the drill "notes, fingering, louder here, play this passage with more force."  Go to www.haleyfuneraldirectors.com and put her name on their website search browser and you will find her obituary.

I am an adoption attorney and what was so fascinating and I never knew was that she was an adoptive mom.  Who would have thought?  I know she is proud that it is part of my law practice.

I remember senior year, she so wanted me to major in music, piano etc.  I didn't feel like I was good enough and I told her I wanted to do something grand like going to law school.  I guess I was caught up in the women's liberation movement, and staying home and teaching piano, didn't sound exciting enough.

Wow was I wrong.  I realize now how much you learn in the discipline of piano practice in terms of life lessons. First and foremost, when you make a mistake in life, you go back and do everything in your power to correct it, make it better, improve the situation.  You also learn that sometimes you have to learn the basics first before you get to your favorite Christmas song, or hymn or Beatles favorite, or jazz tune.  Once you have the fundamentals you can work on the lounge lizard piece  You also learn that any level of expertise on the piano is better than no ability at all!!!!!!

Mrs. Lemon always made you learn the classical music.  However, she was open to you bringing the popular music of the day, so you could learn the song you heard on the radio, or on the stereo.  I am not sure she like Beatles Music, or Teevee themes but she still let me play them.

Mrs. Lemon believed in music.  Often when you went to her house, she would be playing away on the grand piano with the top up.  When you clapped for her, her response was always "oh I'm just practicing"  She was also always doing something artistic.  She sewed her daughter's wedding dress.  She made candles in her basement, and she needlepointed.  I guess needlepoint to me always means that you are slightly royal and sophisticated, so I was always so fascinated by it.  It was also the idea or concept that you were accomplishing something, similar to learning a piano piece.

Mrs. Lemon was patriotic.  Every year she picked a student to play the star spangled banner at the opening of her yearly recital.  Often the prize was awarded to a graduating senior.  Yes I got to play it with her senior year.  So amazing.  I remember playing a movement of Pour Le Piano by Debussy.  Mrs. Lemon was in the front row...it was a little intimidating.  I remember in the middle of the piece losing my mind and having to go back a page or so and then keep on going.  It was an out and out mistake for sure, but she stood and clapped as if I was Yo-Yo Ma or Emmanuel Ax.  So gracious and incredible...which was what she was

So, so many years later, what does the learning time with her mean?   It means that your music teacher has the most profound effect on you, because it is a one on one experience that no one can take away from you.  It is one half hour, 45 minutes or an hour of time devoted completely to you. You don't get a lot of that in your life.  It is very courageous to take piano lessons because you open yourself up to possibilities that you never thought you had.  It requires some work, but the rewards come back over many years over and over again.  

You never know how you make a difference.  What a great way to end the week.