At the
young age of 3, Jayden sang her first solo in church. She was adorable and
could sing so sweet and cute. She sang “Oh, how I Love Jesus. She was pretty
good for a little one, singing in tune. She loved to sing and was always
singing at home while playing. She could learn lyrics to a song in no time and
still does. She sang at my childhood church. At the age of 5 she had memorized and
could sing the Star Spangled Banner. She sang it at a Flag ceremony and then
at the Bill Riley talent search in Ogden. She was on the song list at church to
sing twice a year and she continued to sing up until we left the Stratford
church in 2010. Jayden has an wonderful voice when she would sing out at home and just amaze me. In
public she sang great, but was much more soft and shy. I loved to hear her
memorize songs on the radio and sing out, especially worship songs. In 3rd
grade Jayden was chosen for the Midwest Children’s choir through her school and
her music instructor had her try out for Opus children’s choir. Although she did
not make Opus, her teacher really felt her and friend Claire had the talent to make it.
At the age of 5 we
tried fiddle lessons. After a few months, we decided she was a bit young and
wanted to wait a couple years. At the age of 7, she took lessons in Boone for
the summer. It was neat to see Jayden really getting it. She was catching on and
playing several songs. Her teacher was good with her and I was excited to see
where it would go. It came to a screeching hault. The school year was beginning
and the instructor taught at school and would not have any time for private
lessons. The only nearest instructor would be Ames and with Jake only 3 and I
was expecting, that would not happen. Jayden never picked up the fiddle again,
devastating.
Into middle school, Jayden took band and played the saxophone for
two years. She played really well and practiced very little. She did not care
for her instructor, nor did I. He was very difficult and made band unenjoyable.
I know that if she had a good instructor, she would have continued, but I knew
the Jr. high and high school instructor was no better. Sadly her saxophone
playing was short and sweet.
I am thankful for home videos of her playing.
In 7th
grade, she took vocal lessons. I was so excited, her lessons were teaching her
so much more than just singing. Her teacher was so impressed with Jayden and
told me she has perfect pitch. She said very few people have that and she is
very gifted. She was learning and
improving and the best part was the husband had a recording studio. I could not
wait to record some of her songs. I wanted to make a CD collection of songs for
her Grandparents and for myself to cherish. She recorded two songs and the
recording studio system was struck by lightning. That was the end of recording
and I cherish that disk with only two songs. Neither of those songs were ones
we would have chosen, but at least they are Jayden singing. Eventually the
husband broke his leg and required much help, so lessons were cancelled.
Next we found a kind lady from Ogden to give
piano lessons. The kids just loved her and I did too. Lisa was a homeschool
mother with two girls still at home. The teo girls loved to show their American
girl dolls, games, and toys with whichever of my kids was waiting their turn.
They were very sweet girls and the kids looked so forward to going to their
home. Lisa was such a kind encouraging teacher. She was amazed with Jayden’s
ability to catch on so quickly. She told me she is very musically talented and
is progressing so easily and quick. Jake was learning to play some songs and
she was very patient with him. Luke even got a short 10 minute lesson each time
learning how to play some notes. It was perfect. After only 5 lessons, her
husbands health was failing so much that she had to quit lessons and take on a
full time job. My heart broke for her and having to take on a new role in life,
caretaker for her husband and hold a job. I was also very sad for the kids and
the end of piano. At a year and a half later I decided on a whim to call Lisa
and see if she was doing piano lessons again. She told us absolutely and felt
so bad the kids have not been taking lessons. I was excited and so were the
kids. Then before lessons even started, she had to back out and is taking
college classes to be a nurse. Ugh! I feel music is so good for kids and want
them to have some kind of music lessons. Homeschool kids don’t get much in the
way of music. Jayden, especially, I feel like God has given her this aamazing
talent with music and it is just going to waste. I want so badly for her to
sing, play fiddle, or play piano. She has the ability, we just can’t get the
instruction. I keep trying, but it never seems to work out. I guess I just need
to accept it, if music is not meant to be, I just can’t figure out why.
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