Peabody

I've arrived safely in Baltimore and started orientation at Peabody Conservatory. I'm starting a new life, so doing all the things that are required... New bank, new phone, apartment hunting... All that jazz.

Peabody is my new home. The staff at this Conservatory are amazing. I already feel myself, I have an AMAZING support network of administrative staff, students and professors. Life here will be wonderful. I just paid my college fees, so apart from a little post traumatic stress syndrome, I'm FINE. :)

As for Baltimore... The city has a few quirks which I'll have to adapt to, but it's nothing I can't handle by changing my lifestyle a little and being on my toes. The high crime rate is something which will make me grow more eyes. I'm sure I'll discover the city's charms after settling in.

I am looking forward to my first lesson with Bob, and so relieved to be here, that I think I'll just have to give him a big hug the moment I see him!

St Martin in the Fields

Coady and I went to a piano recital today of one of Professor Feutchwangers students. It was great just to be in this venue, and it is really a beautiful church. I enjoyed the performance, but I don't think I'm biased in saying, COADY'S still my favourite.

London

Well, after Croatia, where I had lessons with the charming and utterly hospitable Professor Igor Lesnik, I have arrived in London. I spent the last week with Coady which was beautiful and chaotic, if not a little cramped in his one bedroom... Coady took me to visit his teacher Professor Feuchtwanger, and his partner Mr Michael Garady. We had tea and sandwiches and Professor Feuchtwanger played us recordings of him as a 12 year old boy, private recordings of Clara Haskil, and played little excerpts of his Etudes in the Eastern Idiom. Being in their penthouse apartment was like stepping into another world. It was incredible to hear stories about these amazing artists, see paintings that Michael had done of famous artists, (not to mention the original matisse...) and just be in a musical and artistic world which was phenomenal. So good to see Coady in this environment. Coady played a concert last week too, which was so terrifying and controlled, when I had recovered I felt very proud of the work which he's done, and happy that he's in a very supportive environment.

I've moved to Henry and Poppy's, which is lovely. I'm living in there lounge room, but it's making me very happy to spend time with them, and have my own space again.
My next plan is to finalise all my visa stuff for the US, and then do some sight seeing! I want to see some galleries, and AT LEAST one broadway show, and a concert at the Prince Albert... The Proms is on at the moment so, maybe that will be a good plan... :)