After The Recital

     On Thursday, March 8, my piano students performed their spring recital,

...in the beautiful performance hall of Graves Piano and Organ.

        And on Friday, March 9, I was basking in that familiar mix of relief and gemütlichkeit that permeates what is for me the best day of the year: the day after a piano recital.    
      There's nothing like that day after a recital: several days' worth of pre-performance anxiety has finally dissipated, the nerves have gone back into their cerebral cages, and I float on the bearable lightness of being on the other side the event.
        Invariably, on the day after a recital several times during the day I'll feel a twinge of unease, a squeeze of angst, a flutter of nervousness, then I'll remember, No, wait, it's over, and that's the very best feeling.
         And yet, in truth, I generally start feeling better already on the night of the recital, as I did this recital night after I'd arrived at the hall,   

...and had a chance to run through my pieces,

...and when my good friend and program-printer Marianne arrived with the programs,  seat tags,

...and her husband Nick, my wonderful videographer,  here with Tom, who is likewise always a source of help and moral support.

     And when the hall  was set up and recital ready,

...and my students began arriving and warming up for their performances in the practice room,

...the younger ones looking so cute and excited,

...then my jitters, as always,  started morphing into hopeful excitement as well.    
    And, as always, once my students began playing, I felt a mix of pride and gratitude,     

...and it was well with my soul.

     After the recital my crew and I headed over to our usual après-recital celebratory spot,

...the Hunan House, a Chinese restaurant  down the street from the recital hall on E. Dublin-Granville Road,

...with the most charming interior,

...and the yummiest food.

     Or maybe it's just  that  food always tastes so much better after the recital.

     Hear my book interview by Scottish reviewer Fiona Mcvie of "Authors Interviews."
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