Guest blog by Dwayne Motley

My first memory of music that made an impact was when I was 7 years old.  I saw Purple Rain on HBO and was forever changed.  I saw Prince on that stage with his guitar commanding the crowd, singing, dancing, shredding...he was a god!! I wanted to be him, boots, tight pants, ruffled shirts and all.  I immediately asked for a guitar. So, my parents bought me an acoustic guitar...and never got me lessons...just an expensive toy.  I tried to teach myself. Let's just say it didn't go well.  A few Christmases later, my parents gifted me an electric guitar and yet again no lessons.  I played the snare drum (yes, just one drum) in elementary school for a year.  I got a Casio keyboard and even asked my Mom to teach me to play piano. She shooed me away.  She didn't seem interested, so I gave up on it.  It just wasn't in the cards for me.

For a long time I've loved music and desired to play.  It always seemed unattainable, a wish, a dream. When I would listen to music and hear a piano solo, I would quietly wish that I knew how to play it.  My love for the piano grew over the years, but learning how to play still seemed a foregin concept.   

On my 41st birthday, I was recovering from a torn bicep surgery as my wife and mother-in-law gave me presents.  I opened a gold wrapped box and inside was a letter.  As I read it, I was so overcome with emotion that tears poured from my eyes.  My wife gave me the gift of music: money for lessons, music flashcards, and special stickers to help me learn the notes. As if that wasn’t enough, my mother-in-law gifted me her acoustic piano from her own home to practice on.  

I couldn’t believe it! It wasn’t something I asked for. I was completely shocked. I had no idea how much I needed this and how it would set my life in a new direction. Since that day, piano has been my everything. I signed up for lessons with Michele Roberts at the local music store and I haven’t looked back. Determined to savor this opportunity, I study music theory on my train ride to work, drill my music flash cards during my lunch break, and listen to music history podcasts.  I practice on my piano daily, polish it weekly and tune it annually.  Over time, my puppy-love for the piano deepened into a passionate, soulful connection.

Then, the world turned upside down. Fear and confusion infused society, blaring on TVs in homes everywhere.  I lost my restaurant and everything I was building.  I didn’t have much to look forward to, but in all that darkness I always had music and it was my refuge.  My piano allowed me to dream of a life outside of the restaurant industry.  Where I can be home more for my family.  Maybe I’d improve enough to teach someone else to play. I dreamed of giving someone else the joy that music gives me.  It’s funny because I never thought I’d be here teaching piano, but I gotta be honest...I’m loving this journey!  I’m eternally grateful to my wife and mother-in-law for igniting a fire in me that now illuminates the musical path for others.  It's never too late to start lessons and you can do that at KDF Music Connections.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go practice …