I began piano lessons at seven. I still remember my first teacher, who seemed to me to be ancient, but kind.  That year I stumbled through a piece called "The Avalanche" for my first recital. Since then, both as a young girl and an adult, I have had many other teachers, passed my grade seven conservatory with modest results, and scraped through grade two theory. Today those years are all a blur to me sandwiched between my first lessons and now. This passed year has been different.