Elira started playing the piano when she was 5 years old. Since she started reading when she was only 3 years old, she was able to start lessons early. Her first piano teacher, Ms. Dorothy, was such a wonderful lady who recognized Elira’s love for music from that early age. Elira picked up the piano like she had played it before. Her fingers moved on the black and white piano key as if she had been doing it for thousands of years. Her love for piano was further supported by her beloved teacher, Ms. Cindy. Elira thrived under the guidance of Ms. Cindy. She didn’t think there was any other music teacher on this earth like Cindy. The two were kindred spirits and Elira kept looking for her everywhere when we moved to North Carolina from Nebraska.

Elira could play pretty much any instrument, if she wanted to. She could read music on the spot and impressed everyone she met. I believe the melody was part of her soul, the notes part of her beautiful heart. There wasn’t one day that I would hear her play the piano, and I wouldn’t be so grateful to have her in my life. She filled my house and my heart with joy daily. Some times she would open the window above her piano so that by-passers would also hear. She knew she was talented, she understood her own musical prowess.