by Hadley Snell
When it comes to piano, a lot of time is spent on individual practice, alone. However, as with most things, the more special moments occur when pianists are given the opportunity to come together. This month, I decided to interview siblings within the group and hear about their shared experiences with the instrument.
The first siblings I talked with were Katia and Erik Jacoby, both of whom are members of the Columbus, Ohio branch. After being recommended by a mutual friend, Katia was put in contact with Chloe, the original founder of the group. In early June of this year, the Columbus branch was established, with Katia as chapter head. Shortly after, she asked her brother to join, and they’ve been active members of the group since. Both Katia and Erik have been playing piano since they were around five years old. When asked how their relationship affected their practicing, Katia said, “it’s like a healthy competition”, and hearing one another practice motivates both of them to practice more. As a senior looking forward to college next year, Katia hopes to either join a piano club or create one on campus, with the same goal of reaching seniors in the local community. After she graduates, she plans on handing the chapter head responsibility to her younger brother. Even though they’ll be attending different schools next year, it’s apparent that their relationship has had a positive influence on their music. “I admire my brother’s drive in music and his motivation that he gets before competitions,” says Katia.
This shared sense of motivation was a common thread I found with sisters from the Fort Wayne chapter, Sophia and Anna Sicoe. “When I started playing piano,” begins Sophia, “my sister was only about two years old. This not only inspired my sister to start playing a year later, but also constantly pushed her to better herself, as she wanted to play at the same level.” She goes on to describe how they’ve shared much of the same repertoire, performed duets together, and even helped each other with music theory and technique. Through the years, she reflects on how these shared musical experiences helped them grow not only as musicians, but also as siblings. While Sophia admires Anna for always being “mature, yet lively,” Anna looks up to Sophia for her drive and responsibility. Like Katia, Sophia is a senior, so this will be her last year in the group. “I hope to play at as many events as I can before I graduate,” says Sophia. Anna, who is a freshman, is planning to continue taking piano lessons, participating in competitions, and being an active member in Da Capo.
Overall, it’s clear that the connection between siblings is a unique and valuable thing to have. “The best part about having a sibling,” says Katia, “is always having someone to talk to and knowing they’ll be there your whole life”. For Sophia, having a sister means “having someone who you can be completely honest with, be yourself around, and always rely on.” Siblings or not, I think we can all agree that people who are willing to support you, whether it be through music, school, or just life in general, are people worth appreciating.
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