A brief moment of misalignment during a lunchtime concert became a quiet test of listening and adaptability. While accompanying singers, I had to quickly adjust when the entry came earlier than expected, finding my place again without interrupting the musical flow. It was a reminder that true accompaniment is not just preparation, but the ability to respond calmly and musically in real time.

Recording myself while preparing Beethoven’s Hunt Sonata revealed an important lesson: playing softly is not simply about reducing volume, but about refining touch and control. Through experimenting with playing on the surface of the keys and comparing before-and-after recordings, I discovered how small changes in physical approach can transform sound.

Repetition is more than routine. In rowing, repeated movement builds consistency and control. In music, it builds reliability. What you practise consistently becomes what you can depend on in performance.

Pressure doesn’t improve performance, it reveals it. In rowing, race day shows whether training holds under stress. In music, the stage works the same way. What you’ve built in practice is what appears when it matters.