Private Lessons

- Blurb -

In a standout debut for the #MeToo era, a young pianist devotes herself to her art -- and to the demanding, charismatic teacher she idolizes. After seventeen-year-old Claire Alalay' s father' s death, only music has helped her channel her grief. Claire likes herself best when she plays his old piano, a welcome escape from the sadness -- and her traditional Filipino mother' s prayer groups. In the hopes of earning a college scholarship, Claire auditions for Paul Avon, a prominent piano teacher, who agrees to take Claire as a pupil. Soon Claire loses herself in Paul' s world and his way of digging into a composition' s emotional core. She practices constantly, foregoing a social life, but no matter how hard she works or how well she plays, it seems impossible to gain Paul' s approval, let alone his affection. Author Cynthia Salaysay composes a moving, beautifully written portrait of rigorous perfectionism, sexual awakening, and the challenges of self-acceptance. Timely and vital, Private Lessons delves into a complicated student/teacher relationship, as well as class and cultural differences, with honesty and grace.