Student of the Week - Jana Wae
We are pleased to announce Jana Wae as this week’s Student of the Week!
“When I saw Stephen jump onto a piano stool in an Instagram ad that appeared on my screen, something inside me was triggered. I immediately wanted more of the inspiration that his playful, positive energy gave me. From that moment on, a journey of inspiration began — one that has had a very positive impact on my life.“The piano had fascinated me ever since I was a child, and even after the piano lessons I took back then, the instrument always gave me so much personally. It was something that connected with me on a deeper level.“So, at some point during the pandemic, I decided I wanted to give Ridley Academy a try because being able to play the piano freely and creatively had always been a very deep, yet seemingly distant, dream of mine. “Ridley Academy gave me back a hope that I thought I had lost. It has helped me grow personally and has greatly refined my playing. I have become more courageous, more expressive, and freer in the way I play. I feel more connected to what I’m doing and I’m able to express it much better.“I have even managed to sing along while playing two pieces, which feels like a huge step for me. I can also improvise here and there, and I actually understand scales now. I’m really looking forward to experimenting with them more and eventually creating my own melodies.“I have definitely become much more brave since enrolling in Ridley Academy — not only at the piano, but in life in general. I think this is reflected in the way I’ve started participating in the wonderful Ridley Academy Facebook group. I’m willing to take on challenges and approach them more openly, asking people from different countries for feedback on my videos that I share. That is incredibly valuable to me and has brought so much joy into my everyday life.“The staff at Ridley Academy are incredibly kind. It feels like they are always there whenever I need them, and I receive such beautiful feedback on the things I share. It really allows me to keep learning and growing.“My ultimate goal is to be able to write down the melodies that sometimes come into my head and then play them back so I can develop them into songs. I’m sure that, with more peace and patience in my learning process, I’ll be able to achieve this with Ridley Academy.“The inspiration I receive from Ridley Academy makes me feel incredibly rich. Thank you so much for that.”
— Jana Wae, Ridley Academy Student of the Week, 18 September 2026
Very well done, Jana! We are so proud of you.
