Tonight, the stage opened its arms to me for the very first time in a Piano Relay Concert—and what an electrifying evening it became.
For the first time in my musical journey, I stood shoulder to shoulder with sixteen remarkable pianists, each one stepping into the light with courage, fire, and artistry. Together, we shaped a tapestry of sound—
Chopin’s Schumann’s Études, Op. 10, blazing with storm and brilliance, and Schumann’s Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, glowing with innocence, memory, and breath.
Every pianist lifted the room.
Every note felt like part of something larger than any one of us.
The night was brought to life by the Bay Area Amateur Pianists and held within the warm, resonant halls of Piedmont Piano Company in Oakland, CA. And there on the stage sat our instrument—a 2025 Fazioli 9-foot concert grand, valued at $250,000, one of the most exclusive pianos on earth. Its voice was pure satin and thunder.
As I played, I remembered a part of my own history:
Many years ago, I had the privilege of owning a smaller 7-foot Fazioli, a jewel in my musical life. Tonight’s performance felt like returning to an old friend—one whose presence elevates every breath, every phrase, every moment.
It was not just a concert.
It was a communion of musicians,
a celebration of sound, and a night I will carry with me always.
Several friends and members of the Vallejo poetry community also attended.
