THANKS!!!

After living an amazing month at Pilsen I have nothing else to say but to thanks all of those who helped and supported me throughout my period at IMAP.

Thank you…

God for granting me all this beautiful blessings: Thank you for the life you have given me, for my family which is the most amazing treasure I could possibly have. For my professors, friends and all the wonderful people that have supported me along my life. Thank you so much for being with me at every stage of my life and showing me your love every day for 20 years.

My family for always believing in me even in those moments when I have lost every hope. Thank you dad and mom for all those hours of work, for all those sacrifices you have made for me and my siblings, for your teachings and for always trusting in me. I just hope I can give you at least something back and never turn you down. Thank you siblings, you are my best friends. I have no idea what can I possibly do without you. I love you so much, and I am really blessed for being part of this beautiful family. Thank you so much for loving me!

Mely, my dearest aunt, for loving me always. You have no idea of how much I missed you! Thank you for giving me my first piano! It happens that what it was your dream is now my most precious one! Thank you for all your teachings! You taught me to have faith and love God above everything else, to be a fighter, and always look the beauty of life! I will always try to follow your steps! You are now my angel and your essence will always be with me! Thank you very much for everything! I love you so much!

To my professors:

Dr. Dena Kay Jones, my actual piano teacher. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me always. Thank you for all your patience and teachings, and sorry for all those times which I haven’t been that good student. I promise I will work harder, as it is the least I can do for all the time you have dedicated me. Thank you very much, I think I can’t found the words to fully express all my appreciation for everything you have done for me. THANK YOU!

Anush Vardanyan, my first piano teacher. You taught me how to love the piano and music. You had so many patience, in all those years that I spent with you. Thank you for trusting in me and showing me the path to become a pianist. I still have things to work on, but you taught me the very basics, and more importantly, you taught me to love this beautiful instrument. Thank you for all your work, for all your patience and for all your love!

To UTEP faculty, who since the beginning has supported me in amazing ways and are preparing me for my future. Thank you!

To professor Silvia Muniz, for all your support! You have always been an angel and trusted in me since the beginning! Thank you very much!

To David Alfaro Siqueiros’ scholarship: a very important part for living this magical experience! Thank you very much!

To Mrs. Sawtelle, for being so supportive in my IMAP adventure. I lived a magical experience in which I learned so many things and you helped me to live it. Thank you very much!

To my friends: For being with me in all those moments of difficulty and also in those of happiness. You make my life so rich! I am very blessed for having you in my life.

IMAP (International Music Academy Pilsen) for allowing me to live this experience. You made me the happiest person in the world that day when I received my acceptance letter. But even back then, I never imagined how amazing this experience was going to be. I learned so many things. Thank you Dr. Silverman, Professor Brejcha and Dr. Greene for all your comments and suggestions, for sharing with me all your knowledge! It was so wonderful expending my time with you, learning how to improve my piano playing and loving more and more music and piano. Thank you so much, it was definitely the best experience I ever had so far! Thank you!

I’ll close this beautiful cycle by thanking again to all the people that have

been with me and have taught me how to be a better person and musician, to all people that

have always been so supportive. I couldn’t make it without you!

Thank you!

Natalia

Final Stage and the Coming Back...

Final stage and the coming back…

Well, my last days at Pilsen were full of enjoyment and sadness. It was amazing that even at this final stage I was still learning and still knowing better my piano. But it was sad to say goodbye to this magical experience. My last class, which took place on Friday with Dr. Greene, was so interesting as I learned more important things that I am sure will help me to improve more my playing. Dr. Greene is also a very good pianist that knows tons about music and piano. I was so lucky of taking this class with him. I think I was very lucky and blessed of being here at IMAP, as it definitely was a once in a lifetime experience.

Saturday was full of goodbyes. It was my last time chatting at the cafeteria with my friends. My last time being at the Music House or New Conservatory. The last time visiting the mall. The last time practicing. The last concert. The last dinner. The last gelato cone. The last walk along downtown, talking, joking and laughing in front of the old conservatory. It was the end of one cycle, but I can feel it was also the beginning of a new period in my life. The beginning of my fight to be a better musician, the best that I can possible be. That day was a long day. After saying goodbye to an amazing month in the Czech republic, I spent the night packing and preparing to my coming back.

So, I thought my coming back was not going to be hard. I expected flying the 16 hours and being home enjoying my family. But it happens that it was a longer trip than I expected. I depart from Pilsen at 3:00am, as my flight Prague-Amsterdam was taking place at 7. When I was in Amsterdam, I found out that my next flight to Houston was cancelled. Thus, I was obliged to stay one day in Amsterdam. At the beginning it was not so bad. I was in Amsterdam with everything paid! One whole day! But when I went to pick my luggage, it was not there. ( I think my luggage love traveling as it keeps getting lost). However, I was not in the mood to handle this. I was at that point with cero hours of sleep, no luggage, and very far away from home. Now, I must admit, I regret my decision back there in Amsterdam so much because I went to my hotel and spent there the day instead of getting to know something of Amsterdam. But what is done is done. I spent there my day, sleeping, watching tv, talking with my family, and foolish crying. I think now I still have to much to mature. I was crying when I was supposed to be laughing and enjoying. But again, what is done is done. So the next day, fortunately, I started my coming back. This time with no stops. And although, it was a tired trip, I was so happy at the end, as my family and friends were waiting for me at the airport. How much I missed them! How happy I was of seeing them all again!