When I was in the first grade I started taking piano lessons from Mrs. Ellen Gunn. For 12 years my mother drove us 14 miles to the city of Ellisville for piano lessons twice a week. We had a private lesson and a group lesson each week. I quickly learned that even though I was the third of four children and sometimes felt ignored, if I could play the piano I could get attention, and I loved attention. I loved piano and was motivated to practice.
Mrs. Ellen was a wonderful teacher that left an incredible legacy of music makers and teachers. I can hardly think of her without tearing up! I even named my first child after her, Rebecca Ellen. She had so much patience with me through the years. I often think of her when dealing with challenging students. Mrs. Gunn’s patience was unending, and her love for her students was surely from God above. I still play some of the hymn arrangements that I worked on in high school and see notes on the score in her handwriting. I am so thankful for her impact on my life and her incredible gift of music that she shared with so many.
