College has been hellatious, thats my only reasoning for no posts. I'll try to write up a recount of all the good and bad things that have happened since my first semester really got going.

This post is about my old piano professor visiting for the winter.

I've always been musically inclined, I thrive on listening to music and love theater jazz, orchestra, band, and opera performances. Yes, opera, and yes, I'm 18. I've played piano for almost 11 years now, and guitar for about a year.

My first truly inspirational teacher was the professor. His real name is Bien Panganiban, but I've always known him as the professor. He teaches old school classical piano, a method that produces concert and recording pianists around the world. He has connections with Walter Hautzig and many other world renowned musicians as well as politicians, military leaders, and other bigwigs.

He lives on Okinawa, Japan, a place I lived for six years (two three year military tours), and I haven't seen him since I was a freshman in high school.

He's staying with my family for a few days, and of course, he had me sit at the piano and play, and he sat and listened for a bit before assuming his welcomed place as my professor.

Four hours later... I'm now completely reinspired. I have vision for my piano again, I'm not just going to sight read through "musically advanced class II" music. I'm not just going to learn a piece so I can play it then move on. I'm going to truly master music and develop an educated repertoire.

In four hours this man took me from casual pianist to focused, determined, and motivated casual pianist. I know music isn't what I'm going to pursue for my profession, but it is a venue I can use to relate to other people and share my joy for music. For that, I'm willing to truly dedicate myself to the pianoforte again.

So, Professor Bien S. Panganiban, carrier of five musical degrees, teacher of decades, mentor of ages, four and a half foot tall Philipino genious, I salute you, and I thank you, for I have returned, and once again realize the importance of true art in this world.