Studio smiles! I love my piano family.

12 years ago, at my first piano recital, my dad reminded me that smiling was of the utmost importance. I took him very seriously and grimaced fiercely, quite like a lunatic, throughout Singing in the Rain, and also through the plaintive piece - Greensleeves! - that followed. My teacher waved frantically for me to stop grinning because it was scaring audience members. I was very confused, then, but today I am not - I pursue music because it makes me smile.

And smiling really makes quite the difference, in any situation! Thank you, Dad, for this precious piece of advice.