Lisa Spector: Piano Ninja and Pet Calming Maestro
Show Notes and Links
Thank you for showing up at Key Ideas wherever you find your podcasts like Apple and Spotify.
On a long walk a few weeks ago, a podcast automatically popped up after the one I just finished. It happened to be Andrea Miller’s superb show called Music Studio Startup. To be honest, I wasn’t in the mood for a podcast about work as I was trying to get away from it all on my walk. However, I decided to tune in to see who Andrea’s guest was and it happened to be Lisa Spector. Their conversation intrigued me and Lisa’s story made me want to listen to the whole episode again!
I immediately reached out to Andrea and asked if she would give me permission to interview Lisa for Key Ideas. Andrea graciously introduced the two of us and now, Lisa joins me on my podcast.
In my conversation with Lisa you’ll hear why my ears were glued to Andrea’s episode and why tears were streaming down my face when Lisa said this:
“I let go of the need of needing it to be how it used to be. I kept asking, When is this going to be over. No one had an answer for that. When I let go of the need to know the answer is when I really started to heal.”
About Lisa
For more than 35 years, playing piano has not only been Lisa Spector's passion, it’s been her livelihood. Since graduating Juilliard, she's taught piano at the university level, owned a music school in her community, toured internationally, won 1st prizes in national piano competitions, advanced to finals in international competitions, performed to arenas of 18,000 in China and recorded music for pet anxiety that gained national and international press.
A traumatic accident in June of 2017 shattered her right hand. When she was told by a medical professional she’d never play piano again, she didn’t listen. After the first two of four surgeries for seven complicated fractures, she dove into music for left hand only. It wasn’t easy, emotionally or physically. It took at least half a year before those notes turned into music. It gradually became easier when she realized it only appeared music came from her hands. She really makes music with her heart.
Little by little, she was able to add her right hand to her left. After four surgeries and close to 200 occupational hand therapy sessions, in March of 2020, she started performing 30 Facebook Live weekly concerts for one and two hands. This culminated in her new album, Left Hand Lemonade Live.
In 2021, Spector returned to her passion for using her music talents to improve the lives of dogs. She is the host of My Zen Pet, the first podcast with music for pet stress. And her new album, Dog Gone Calm, is streaming on all platforms.
She's the creator of The Piano Ninja Tricksters Club, where she helps classical pianists practice less while learning more, by teaching them how to practice smart and play piano with joy and ease, leading with their heart.
Links
Left Hand Lemonade album and full story: https://lisaspector.com/left-hand-lemonade/
Piano Ninja Tricksters Club Waitlist: https://pianoninjatricks.com
Dog Gone Calm on streaming platforms: https://lisaspector.hearnow.com
My Zen Pet podcast https://myzenpet.com/podcast/
Music Studio Startup Podcast with Andrea Miller
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I confess I got so wrapped up in Lisa’s story that I didn’t make it clear about our son Carter’s injuries he sustained when he was struck by a boat on Thanksgiving of 2019.
So, if you did not know already, Carter lost his right arm and almost both legs.
As I mentioned, his resilience, smart doctors, loving care providers and prayers from around the globe have given him a chance to return to the piano.
Hey, I appreciate you!
I’m honored that you’ve given me your time and your ears. :-)
