"Finding My Way Back to Music Through Piano | Ridley Academy."

"Returning to piano after loss can feel overwhelming, especially when life has taken you through grief and hardship. At Ridley Academy, we often see how learning piano becomes more than music — it becomes a path back to healing."

Returning to piano after loss can feel overwhelming, especially when life has taken you through grief and hardship. At Ridley Academy, we often see how learning piano becomes more than music — it becomes a path back to healing.

Stephen,

I just want to say… thank you.

You truly are an inspiration. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way — all of your students, past and present, are very lucky to have you in their lives.

I’ve been quiet for a while.

I’ve buried my head and stepped away… not because I didn’t care, but because life has been heavy. I’ve gone through some deeply painful things.

I lost two close friends to cancer.
My brother passed away.
My sister passed away.
My mother passed away.
And recently, my best friend passed away too.

It’s been a lot.

For a while now, I’ve been in a funk.

And the truth is… my mind hasn’t been where it needs to be. It’s felt shattered, and I’ve had to take time just to process everything.

But I know something inside me hasn’t disappeared.

I know I’ll come out of this.

Slowly… but surely.

And one of the things I keep coming back to is music.

Because music is real.

Music is honest.
It’s powerful.
It brings something out of us that nothing else can.

It has a way of making people feel something — even when words can’t.

And I want to get back to that.

I don’t mind starting over.

In fact, I’m willing to.

Because this isn’t about where I was before…
it’s about finding my way back to something that matters.

Something that can help me heal.

At Ridley Academy, I’ve been reminded that learning piano isn’t just about technique or practice — it’s about reconnecting with yourself, one step at a time.

Stephen, I appreciate you staying in touch. It means more than you know. And I’m sorry I haven’t responded sooner — I just needed time.

But I’m still here.

And I’m coming back.

I may be getting older… but I’m not done.

I’ll get there.

With love,
Patricia Shinn