I would rather have been riding my bike. The moment of truth came as my name was called. I took my seat on the piano bench and play the song I had practiced many times. This was the moment! I would either see my instructor beam with pride, or cringe. The thought that my family, and practically half the town’s population was in attendance didn’t offer much comfort. I focused on what my instructor whispered to me as I placed the sheet music on the rack, “If you happen to hit a wrong note, just keep playing through the song.”

That is much easier said then done. …