For those who wonder why we choose to use software’s sound libraries instead of perform and record our own works. This is due to an uncomfortable fact that our Director, Lena, the pianist-composer was diagnosed “pianist dystonia” earlier this year and undergoing treatment. The condition means it would be extremely challenging for her to perform like how she used to be, however, good news is that her response to injections treatment and therapy is fairly positive.
As September is Dystonia Awareness Month, she would like to share her thoughts on this matter.
Very often when people hear about MD, which is one of the task-specific focal dystonia, the reactions are either discouraging or being irrationally judgmental, even prejudice, for subjectively believing over-practising is the cause.
We have an incident where my friend Angel, who was then a conservatoire student, aware of my peculiarities and hopes to find me the right person to nurture my skills further, the responses she received were horrendously apathy. People immediately cancelling an individual’s giftedness by claiming that is why they got dystonia, “Anyone who practises intensively can do that, hmm”, as if they knew them in real life.
But the fact is, some people cannot even sit at the bench for more than 3 hours. To me, quality over quantity is the golden rule of a productive practice session. As Always.
Although some musicians do have this condition due to long hours playing, the real cause of dystonia is still unknown. It could be a gene defect, too much repetitive movement, or something else awaiting for us to discover. I find the condition has long been misunderstood, hence why the despair.
We should remember we are living in the 21st century, medical science is evolving, a lot of research is ongoing. There is definitely a cure out there, as long as we don’t give up first.
My first symptom appeared when I was around 15, but that was very very mild. When I started to learn violin at the age of 17, I got the so-called locked finger while learning to hold the bow. At that time I knew nothing about dystonia, had never heard anything about that either, until last year.
Suddenly, everything in my world makes so much sense.
Couple of weeks before last Christmas, my symptoms deteriorated rapidly within 2 months to a point where I could not even use the cutlery or do groceries. It was dreadful one have to admit, but then I do not believe this is the end of the world. You know how interesting the moment when the doctors around you feel so sorry about this condition and I was there being an odd pie, telling them their examples were from the last century while accepting the reality that I do need a backup plan?
So here we are, continuing to compose is a plan B, that does not mean I have to give up on performing. Having this condition is already challenging, we do not need anymore ignorance and exclusion. I know there are a lot of professional performers who choose to cope and fight, some even have it fully recovered. We are willing to participate in research like those lab mice, for the sake of humanity.
Reality is about how to find the balance between laugh and tears. I hope people will learn to respect us as fighters and embrace the power of encouragement, rather than describe us as some sort of unfortunate creature.
Perhaps of my persistence, my response to the treatment and therapy are quite positive. I can definitely see the future of this condition.
– Lena 14 Sep 2024
Stay tuned
Lena was invited to play on a vintage cottage piano in a period home
Lenamusic&Co. 