“A Journey Back to Myself — Through Piano”
I’ve been with the Ridley Academy for about a year now, and joining both the Masterclass and the Mentorship program has truly changed my life. When I first signed up, I knew nothing about music or the piano — only that I had a vision of creating music and maybe even using it to help others one day. What I didn’t expect was how much this journey would heal me in the process.
Growing up, I faced learning challenges that made school incredibly difficult. I didn’t process information the way other children did. Words, numbers, and directions often became jumbled, and I would freeze under pressure. Instead of patience or understanding, I was punished for it.
“My father called me stupid as he hit me for freezing in fear. Those moments shaped how I saw myself for decades.”
Later in life, I learned that what I experienced is sometimes labeled as “dyslexia,” but as a child, all I knew was shame. Because of that, I avoided music entirely, even though I longed for it. I didn’t believe someone like me could ever learn something as complex and beautiful as the piano.
Everything changed when I joined Ridley Academy.
Rex and Stephen introduced me to a new way of learning — one that was patient, spacious, and compassionate. In one of Rex’s Zoom classes, something he said struck me so deeply it brought tears to my eyes. He talked about making space for oneself in the creative process — not rushing, not forcing, not comparing.
“I realized I had spent my whole life trying to learn faster than my brain could process, believing faster meant better.”
My entire life, I pushed myself to keep up, to perform, to prove I wasn’t “slow.” I never gave myself permission to learn at my own pace. That approach robbed me of joy in everything I did.
But in the Academy, I discovered something life-changing:
“If I slow down, use visual aids, and take information in gently… I can learn anything.”
It takes more effort for me, yes — which is why it took me an entire year to learn how to play scales with two hands — but I can do it. And I did do it. Each step I take is mine, and that makes it meaningful.
Processing the trauma behind my challenges has been one of the greatest blessings of this journey. For the first time in my life, I feel free from the pressure to keep up with everyone else. I’m learning to slow down, not just at the piano, but in every area of my life.
I’m proud of myself — and that’s something I never thought I’d say.
I hope my story encourages anyone who has struggled the way I have. If you’ve ever felt behind, not enough, or incapable, please hear me:
You are not broken. You just need space, patience, and the right guidance.
This Academy gave me all of that.
And it gave me myself back.
It’s never too late to begin again.
With gratitude,
Son’Yah Kaiser
