Sam Gravelle, a Murphy Music Makers Student

Sam Gravelle, an 11-year-old 6th grader, started playing piano with Christa Murphy in June 2020 over Zoom. He wanted to play because he had a piano in his house and some of his friends were also playing.

"One of my favorite things about piano is that there's always something new to learn," he says, like switching chords, something he's worked to overcome.

Sam says focus and dedication are what makes him successful. Right now, one of his favorite songs to play is "Up On the Housetop," though he hopes his next challenge will be "some kind of really fast song like one that would be played in a suspenseful movie."

His goal? "Just to get better and to play things faster."

His dream performance space? "Somewhere with a giant auditorium so that the piano would be giant and really loud."

His favorite artist? "Taylor Swift."

His advice? "If you mess up, always keep trying."

Sam says his favorite part about lessons is "playing through a song that I already know."

His least favorite part? "Leaving."

When he's not playing piano, his other favorites include hanging out with friends, pizza, and getting boba tea.

If he could play another instrument, he'd choose the "organ because it’s close to the piano but way more complicated."

Notes from Sam’s teacher, Christa:

Sam works incredibly hard both in lessons and at home, and has made great progress in just 2.5 years. Not only is he a wonderful musician but he’s a great person, and is so much fun to teach!