A Musician's Gathering
January 14, 2010
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Chopin used to have gatherings held at his house. Invited were musicians, poets, writers, artists and all kinds of other artistic types of people. I decided to try just the musician part of this for the first gathering, and invited some of my dearest friends (and their friends) over for a night of music, food and drink.

Many smiles were had, great music was played and listened to, and hugs were endless. Thank you EVERYONE for coming out. You made me SO happy!!!

Can't wait til next time!

xoxo

~amy

More photos from our little gathering can be seen on my facebook album:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50636&id=1138585006&l=906932bb79

Rest Peacefully, Pretty Girl
In Loving Memory
of
Shannon Sperando-Sales
June 19, 1981 - December 12, 2009
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Beautiful Shannon has taught us all about strength, love, and life. She left this world peacefully in her sleep over the weekend, and is no longer suffering from her battle with brain cancer. Her loving husband, John, has shown everyone what love is and SHOULD be. What an amazing story theirs has been. I know I shall carry it with me always.

These are the words published about Shannon:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=shannon-r-sperando-sales&pid=137322699

My many thoughts and prayers go out to John and his and Shannon's families during this heartbreaking time. The following has been posted on www.shannonsperando.com:

Visitation: Friday, December 18, 3:00-9:00 P.M. at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL.

Services will begin Saturday, December 19, 10:30 A.M. from the funeral home and will proceed to an 11:00 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL.

Interment: Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA), 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018, 847-827-9910

Please continue to show your support to this beautiful (inside and of course out) woman and her family. I am still moving forward as promised with donations of all photo shoots and print sales for the month of December to Shannon's cancer fund.

Rest peacefully, pretty girl.

always,

~amy

A Colorful World Brings Forth an Inspiration
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I have never done this before on my blog, but I truly believe that this woman deserves a whole heck of a lot of credit (especially because her work has managed to make me smile, despite the crummy rain cloud overhead that has followed me for the past several months).

Her name is Katie Sokoler. She is a true artist, and she hails from New York - one of my absolute FAVORITE cities. What she does is something I honestly have never seen before, yet it's really quite simple (though it seems that my mind doesn't have the capability to even go where hers can!). Her work is colorful, fun, beautiful, and inspiring. I was told by a dear friend of mine that one of her photo series was featured in at least one publication (the thought bubble photo series). VERY clever idea, and VERY fun photographs!

I invite, nay, INSIST that you all explore Katie's world. I promise endless amounts of sunshine from just a glimpse.

Thank you Katie, for being an inspiration!

http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/


http://colormekatie.com/Site/Home.html

In Musical Awe
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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My piano teacher, Alexander Djordjevic, just released a brand new cd of Franz Liszt pieces. These are what my teacher described to me as being almost like b-sides. Rather than describe what I've heard, I ask each of you to please check him out. Please help support such a rare and wonderful talent to the music community by purchasing a copy of this cd. I promise that you won't be disappointed.

http://www.alexanderdjordjevic.com/

Piano isn't something that I have written about in a while, so I would like to take a moment to describe what it is to me; what it means.

Being able to play is a release for me. While many people find their release in things like exercise, meditation, drinking, eating, raging... piano is my outlet. It helps me cope with life's challenges. It helps me express my emotions in a healthy fashion.

I never thought that there would come a time in my life when a situation would cause me to consider giving it up. I never thought that music could feel like the enemy. I am truly thankful, however, that I quickly recovered from such toxic thoughts, and have embraced it to be among my best friends. It has been, and always will be, the hand on my back urging me to just keep going in life.

My teacher has only made me feel even stronger about music over the years. He has helped me developed my abilities, and taught me things that I never knew were possible in music; things that I never knew or dreamed that I was capable of doing.

I am currently working on two pieces. The first is a lyric piece by Grieg (op 65 no 1). The second is an Etude Tableaux by Rachmaninoff (op 33 no 8). These pieces are rich, intricate, difficult, and make you feel accomplished when you are able to perform them. Perfection in playing is something that I struggle with. It is something that I have been trying to focus on more and more. It is one of several of the last pieces in my performing puzzles that I have to find.

While I still do have a long way to go in developing my playing abilities, I am so excited and eager to keep learning and keep playing. I feel so fortunate that I have such a treasure for a teacher to lead the way.

Thank you, Alex.