Her Final Performance

As parents,  my husband and I have attended many 

performances of our daughter, Annie.

It began with piano recitals.

She took lessons with Mrs. Reitsma for many years.

Mrs. Bigge got her started on the saxophone in 5th and 6th grades.

She had lots of fun in the high school jazz band and concert band.

She marched in many parades.

She performed in a few talent shows in high school.

She also played in the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble 

under Glen Adsit.

Many summers were spent at the Litchfield Jazz Camp.

She had her first solo saxophone recital during the summer 

before college.

Eastman School of Music offered many opportunities 

for Annie to perform.   Her saxophone quartet meant

so much to her, and it was fun to watch them come together

as a group over the years.

This culminated in winning a national chamber music competition 

at MTNA last year!

There were so many other group performances at Eastman too.

So,  after so many years of performances,

Annie gave her final performance of her

school career in January.

We were so proud of Annie as she performed 

her program!  Even though she was extremely

nervous, she appeared poised and confident.

Annie was accompanied on piano by three very

accomplished musicians and friends: Joe, Evan, and Naomi.

When it was over,  her relief revealed itself in her 

bigger-than-usual smile.

And her smile never left her face for the rest of the

evening as she was greeted by her many friends 

from her years in Rochester.  

Dr. Grunow Annie's advisor and professor, 

 has supported Annie through good times and bad.

We are so thankful for him!

Josh, one of Annie's best friends from high school, presented

her with a bouquet after her performance!

Chai has been another very supportive and loving friend.

Khanh, who played with Annie in their quartet,

reenacted their famous pose!

We were happy to see Lauritz from quartet too!

The performance was live-streamed online, 

so even members of the family in New Jersey

we watching and cheering Annie on!

Annie could not help but feel the love all around her!

Annie is student-teaching this semester and will 

graduate in May.   

We are so proud of ALL of Annie's performances,

from that first piano recital until now. 

We are also proud of the woman she has become.

We know she will do amazing things

with all she has learned!