Art amazing year on the piano

Art has had an extraordinary year on the piano. Sharon, his new 75-year-old teacher(!), is working wonders with Art and pumping him full of all kind of confidence. Something he often lacks. This performance Philip Glass' Metamorphosis was at her annual "big show" at her house where all her students play a piece, earn awards and trophies and more or less reflect on the year. Well, after everyone played she talked about each student a little and what folks have achieved, etc. But before she started that she paused, looked at Art, and said that before she does anything she'd like to talk about one boy first. I wish I had recorded it so Art could watch it again and again. She just publicly adored  him, gushing about how his confidence and playing has blossomed more than she every could have imagined. About how he was scared to perform and now he loves it. How he learned a piece on his own over Thanksgiving break, it blew her away (see that performance here). And she also said she's has come to understand that Art is self-motivated, especially if he's playing something he loves. Like Philip Glass! This piece was actually sort of a reward for him working on theory and other pieces that he wasn't as in love with. I remember he came home and told me one day that Sharon bought a book of Philip Glass music! It was so excited. But that he couldn't play it yet until he did this or that.

Anyway, she just went on and on about Art in front of a room full of 40 people. And it was wonderful for him, for his brother and sisters to see, and especially for his mom and dad. #tears. Art is always the last person to think he's amazing, but that's ok. We'll all think he's amazing for him! Congrats on a wonderful year of growth as a piano player and as a little boy. We're so proud of you Arthur James Garvin!




Perhaps the most exciting moment for Art was when he was awarded a GOLDEN CUP! This is no small achievement, have to get some sort of 'superior' rating four different times, etc. He was so proud to put the thing in the cabinet right next to Papa's emmys. A golden trophy just like, Papa!