Natalie and Mona went to the same preschool, were in the same Music Workshop class, and simultaneously graduated from my program. These two girls were best friends.

Natalie seemed to be an “average” child: cute but not a beauty, bright but without any extraordinary abilities (or so I thought). She was always pleasant and polite.

Mona, on the other hand, was something special. Being very outgoing, Mona shined in my classes. Her parents came from Iran. Her mother, Armita, was a real beauty, her father – tall and handsome. Even when Mona was just six years old,  I could see that she will grow to be exceptionally beautiful.

 At that time, I taught group music classes at twelve private preschools and about twenty Music, Mommy & Me, and Music Workshop classes at my studio. Being an extremely busy teacher, I had to restrict the number of private students in my piano class. That’s why I planned to choose only Mona. However, when Natalie’s mom begged me to find a space for her daughter, too, I took pity on her and created an opening in my schedule.

Teaching Mona

Just a year later, I could see that my preferences were wrong. Mona, with all her brilliancy, was progressing at a slow pace. The reason? Her mom didn’t want to be bothered with supervising Mona’s piano practice. Armita was extra busy with her own activities. She didn’t work but volunteered all over the town, had an active social life, liked to shop, and spent a considerable amount of time in the beauty salon.

Besides, Armita was sure that she did more than enough for her daughter. She sent Mona to an expensive private school. She drove her child to my studio (ten miles one way on the busy Los Angeles streets). She paid costly piano tuition and gave me lavish presents for the holidays.

Right from the start, Armita told me that it is not her job to oversee her daughter’s practice. She said it with such authority that I, still a new person in this country (it was only 4 or 5 years since we arrived in the USA), couldn’t find words to argue my position.

After many attempts to explain to Mona’s mom how important it is to help the child practice piano, I gave up. I still continued teaching Mona, but she turned out to be just an average student despite all my hard work.

Teaching Natalie

When I started teaching Natalie privately, I discovered something exciting: this child spoke 3 languages! Her father came from Israel and made sure that Natalie could speak Hebrew. Her mom was Swiss and spoke to Natalie only in Swiss German.

At home, Natalie spoke Hebrew to her dad and Swiss German to her mom. When I made this discovery, I understood that I have a gem on my hands. I already knew that children who know more than one language can handle the language of music much better.

This child had excellent concentration. With guidance from her strict mom, Natalie practiced every day, which made a big difference. By the end of the year, Natalie progressed enough to be ready for her first piano recital.

I taught these two girls for two years in my Music Workshop classes (from age 4 to 6), and for three years, I taught them piano (from age 6 to 9) until we moved from Los Angeles. By that time, Natalie finished level 5 piano books while Mona struggled with level 3. Who made all the difference? Their moms, of course!

I wish I could continue teaching Natalie after our move, but there was no Skype at that time.