By ear and by hand

She plays, and she taught everyone else to.

Piano and accordion are her own. The violin and piano she gave away — to eight children, one lesson at a time, until some of them stood on the stage at Carnegie Hall.

Photo — Allison at the piano
(swap in assets/)

What she plays

Piano in one hand, accordion in the other.

The piano is the home instrument — the one the lessons were built around. The accordion is the one she takes out to play with others, the social instrument, the one that fills a room without a stage. She still plays in a band, for the joy of the thing.

Photo — a child performing / Carnegie Hall
(swap in assets/)

What she gave away

Eight students who shared a kitchen table.

She taught all eight children violin and piano herself — the scales, the sight-reading, the not-quitting. Some of them carried it as far as Carnegie Hall. The rest carried it into the rest of their lives.

A short program

2Instruments she plays
8Children taught
2Instruments taught
Carnegie Hall

Want a list of pieces, recitals, or the band's name here? Send them over.