“The piano has been a central part of my life for as long as I can remember. In my childhood universe, it was the miraculous, incredibly fascinating, intimidating, and magnetic object that most of my earliest and clearest memories revolve around.

Growing up in Romania, my parents and teachers always expected me to do my best. When I was around 12 years old, my teacher was preparing me for some international competitions in Italy. I remember my mom telling me, “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. But if you choose to do it, we will support you 100%, and ask that you too commit to it 100%.” To become and stay a good musician, besides love for music, one needs discipline, time management, analytical thinking and self criticism, problem solving skills, to perform under pressure, set and achieve short and long term goals, and so much more. It’s a wondrous and captivating lifelong journey.

I started out convinced that I wanted to be a touring artist, moved across the world to follow my dream, toured for a while, and then I realized I didn’t need to be in a gigantic, renowned music hall somewhere far away to make beautiful music. I can experience those precious moments in my living room, a house concert, a small local venue, or a retirement home. I fell in love with teaching and felt the need to nurture. Then I fell in love with my husband and strongly wanted a settled life. I am now a new mom to baby Zoe. I have loved this whole process of change. Music is all around me, always. I hope to instill a love of music in my students, because I know that if I do, it will enrich their lives forever.”

Roxana Frizzi is a concert pianist and piano teacher, based in Hamilton and Boston Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.roxanafrizzipiano.com.