Dorinda

Dorinda Nyland was my piano teacher for 10 years in Alameda, California where I grew up. She was well-known in the community, having taught hundreds and hundreds of students. She passed away at age 89 on July 3 this summer and her memorial service is at her First Congregational Church in Alameda on September 24th.

I have taught piano full-time now since 2005 at a music store in Chandler. I've been very blessed to have had such a wonderful example of a piano teacher such as Dorinda. Several years ago, I honored Dorinda by framing my first recital sheet music called 'The Gumdrop Tree.' I was just 8 years old. My sister Lisa and I visited her after she retired and her dementia was kicking in. Lisa took a picture of me sitting with Dorinda at one of her two grand pianos she had in her living room. That picture is next to the framed recital music.

Soon after this visit with Dorinda, she moved to an assisted living home until her husband passed away then moved in with her daughter, Celeste, her only child. Dorinda was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the end, but her life was one that was filled with the love of teaching and I am honored that I was her student for all those years. I will always hold her dear in my heart.