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ARTS Books honour piano teacher Mrs. Foster Left a lasting impression on students: author By Stephanie Hounsel CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Judie Laird received the gift of music at a very young age in the form. of piano lessons. Prom the age of four ta about 15, Laird studied under the ever-patient, ever-encour- aging Helen Poster, who lived next door ta her on Charles Street. Thanks ta those weekly lessons, music became an indelible part of Lairds life and more recently blossomed into ber very own piano teaching career. Althougb she moved from Milton when she was in Grade 11, Laird kept in touch witb Poster and M: said she neyer forgot the older woman's influence. When Poster passed away in April at the age of 98, after having taught young students piano for almost seven decades, Laird felt compelled ta put pen ta paper ta pay tribute ta an incredible woman. "She was a great teacher. She was patient and she Ioved music," Laird said. At first, she was simply scribbling down memories and thoughts. But before long, those snippets began ta take shape as chul- dren'is stories inspired by Poster. Recently, Laird - whom long-time Mihtonians will remember by ber maiden name, Smith - decided ta publish those sto- ries. "These books are in memory of ber (Poster's) remarkable life," said Laird from ber home in Calgary, AB. The fictitiaus books, which are written for kids aged four ta eigbt, each centre around a child taking piano lessons from - who else? -Mrs. Poster. Througbout tbe pages, Laird mixes meni- ories of Poster together witb some of ber own piano-teacbing experiences, and then adds a toucb of imagination. Tbe first book, I Dont Want ta Play the Piano!, features Pbilip, wbo attends bis first lesson witb more than a little reluc- tance. But by tbe end, bes looking forward ta the next one. Altbougb Pbilip could be any number of little boys, Laird created bis character witb ber grandson - wbo doesn't always appreciate bis lessons - in mind. The otber two titles are jancS SpeL ial Dov (and Lor i Takcs Piano Publisbîng a sertes of hooks w~as forcign territory for Laird, who said she didu't bave a clue wbere ta start. After bearing discouragiug reports from people wbo'd tried unsuccessfully to snag a publisher, Lird decided ta go tbe self-publish- ing route witb AuthorHouse, a U.S. campa- ny Sbe found an eager illustrator, Cbris Padovano, on Craigslist and be brougbt the characters ta life in colourful fasbion. She now selis the books on ber website and tbraugb AuthorHouse. Laird's journey toward becoming a teacher was a longer one than ber jour-ney toward becoming an autbor. Wben sbe left Milton - sbe moved to Montreal - sbe had completed Grade 8 tbrougb tbe Royal Conservatory of Music. Altbougb sbe neyer stopped playîng piano, and sbowcased ber talent at family events and weddings, she didn't take any steps ta furtber ber skills. Until several years ago. "Tbirty-two years later, 1 decided ta pick it up again,' bird said. Ncaring retirernent, shc committed to upgrading ber skills so she coulcl îeach piano. CREA11VE TRIBUTE: These books by Judie Laird (at Ieft) were inspired by Iong-time piano teacher Helen Foster, who gave her and countless other Miltonians the gift of music. It took seven years, but Laird completed ber Grade 10 ptano as well as advanced the- ory and began tcacbing. 1 love it,' sbe said simply. Laird said sbe sometimes finds berself remembering metbods Foster used, or won- dering bow ber former teacher. would'e bandled certain situations. 1 could only bope ta be as encouraging as she was, Lird said. Rernarkably, Foster continucid teaching piano vvell into lier eigbties. She înovcd fromn Charles Street ta Court Street and bad four bildren witb bier bius- baud, IKen, who passed away a nuinher of u.~ years ago. Wben sbe gave up teacbing, sbe moved ta Allendale and then, about four years ago, ta Eden House in Rockwood. At ber memonial service earlier this year at St. Paul's United Cburcb, bird said many former students were on hand ta remember their teacher. I felt s0 fortunate ta bave bad ber as a teacher and 1 tbink evervone cisc wbo bad ber as their teacher felt the saine way. 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