Opus 1 Music Studio is extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to watch its students grow up and blossom into successful, well rounded adults. This has been the case with longtime student Ashley.
Ashley started taking lessons at Opus 1 when she was very young. “I think I started around the age of five at Opus 1. My parents decided to put me in music lessons because they wanted me to try out different things. They kept me going over the years with taking exams, and I’m pretty happy that they did. The teachers here are really nice,” she said.
Having a musical background is something that has presented Ashley with many opportunities, and she is grateful for this as she heads into adulthood. “I’m really glad my parents encouraged me to learn piano. There's a lot of things I can do with that now. I started playing in the school orchestra in highschool because I can play the violin as well. Sometimes they will need a pianist, or an accompaniment, and I am able to volunteer myself,” she explained.
From recitals, to volunteering, and passing the ABRSM exams with distinction, Ashley has a lot of unforgettable memories from her time at Opus 1. “I think my very first ABRSM that I got distinction on a couple years ago is the thing I am most proud of about my time here. I have passed well over the passing mark, but I had not gotten distinction up until that point. Doris really helped me keep on track with practicing,” she said.
Ashley also spoke fondly of the confidence learning an instrument has given her, and has thoroughly enjoyed participating in the recitals over the years. “ I still remember my first honors recital on the big stage. You had to be invited to perform, and I got so excited for that. I remember thinking to myself ‘oh my god I got invited! I’m good enough to perform!’ That got me going. It gave me a confidence boost. The recitals give you a way to show off what you have been working on for the past few months,” she said.
The last few years, Ashley has been working tirelessly to get into college, and she succeeded in getting into the school of her choice. During her high school career, she experienced times where she felt like she did not have time to continue piano lessons, or prepare for her ABRSM exams. She credits her parents, and Teacher Doris for keeping her going.
“There have been many times when I felt like I did not want to continue because I was so busy, and did not have any time. My parents encouraged me to just put in 30 minutes here and there. I’m really glad that I did that. Doris has stuck with me for so long, and she knows me really well. When I procrastinate, she is calm and easy going, but when it gets down to preparing for exams and I am running out of time, I know she is going to try and cram so much into me. I like that she does that because if she did not do it, I might not do it myself. She pushes me pretty hard, but that is one of the most important things she has taught me: don’t procrastinate. She sets expectations that seem intense, but she knows what I can handle, so they are actually realistic,” she said.
Ashley is preparing to move away for college this fall, and is excited to move on to the next chapter of her life, but she will deeply miss Opus 1. “ Honestly, I am going to miss everything about coming to Opus 1. The environment, the teachers, and the recitals for sure. I will miss volunteering, and helping Opus 1 after they have given me so many things that I cherish. Doris put me in a position to be prepared and successful and I’m so grateful to her for that,” she said.