Staff writer
Jaden Slifer plays T-ball, enjoys gymnastics, participates in Daisy Scouts, and is active in her local Awana group — all activities you might expect from a nearly six-year-old girl.
She also can play the piano.
The Marion Elementary School kindergartner has been taking lessons since July. At 5-years-old (she will be six May 31) she is the second-youngest student of Anita Hancock.
Hancock, MES music instructor, teaches piano to local residents ages 3 to 18.
As long as a student can read and recognize the letters A though G, and is willing to learn, he or she can take lessons from Hancock.
Jaden’s mom, Trudy, said she contacted Hancock last summer and the teacher was ready to get started right away.
The Slifers live just down the street from Hancock, so Jaden and her mom walk once per week to lessons at Hancock’s house.
Each week Hancock gives Jaden a song or two to practice and the kindergartner returns the next week after practicing at home.
Trudy said Jaden’s progression has been great to watch.
“The look on her face after she’s accomplished a song — it’s amazing,” she said.
The piano Jaden practices with is about 45 years old and was in her husband, Lin’s, family.
“Lin’s mom didn’t have use for it so I thought we could use it,” Trudy said.
It has been getting good use according to Trudy, and she said Jaden is learning her songs “one key at a time.”
Right now Jaden said her favorite songs to play are “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” and “My Invention.”
The first-year student said she enjoys playing.
“It makes a pretty sound,” she said.
As a proud parent, Trudy agrees.
“I think the best part is when she can play a whole song,” Trudy said. “I thought it would be a slower process.”
Instead, it has gone fast, Trudy said, and she is trying to learn as well.
“I always wanted to play the piano — I’ve learned a lot,” Trudy said.
With school ending this week Trudy assumed her daughter would take the summer off. However, Hancock said that wasn’t going to happen.
Trudy said she is glad to keep going, and as long as Jaden enjoys it, hopes it lasts a lifetime.
“Sometimes in church an (older girl) will be playing and I lean down to Jaden and say, ‘That could be you one day’, and she just smiles,” Trudy said.