Editor’s note: This is part of a week-long series in which local columnists talk about their love for music in celebration of “Music in Our Schools Week” at Clovis schools. When I was 10 years old, my family moved into an old house that had not been lived in for quite some time. Located in one of the unused rooms, I discovered an old piano that I imagined had been played by perhaps one of the Beatles of some other rock star of that time. As I would sit down at that old piano and picked out various melodies, it became clear to me that this activity was becoming one of my favorite pastimes. I would spend all my extra time in that old room with my best friend, the piano. The love of the music started there and has continued to grow with each new instrument I learn to play. I began my formal music training in the sixth grade and to this day I continue to sing and play several instruments. It’s also because of my love for making music that I experienced some of my most memorable moments in my life. During my college days, I would spend at least three evenings a week playing my guitar and singing at local restaurants and lounges around town. Through this experience I was able to meet and talk to people from all walks of life who just dropped in to get a bite to eat and listen to the local musicians. I was now caught up in the thrill of performing in front of audiences who seemed to appreciate the songs I sang. Today, you can find me playing and composing my music in the comfort of my home where only my family hears what I play and sing. I can sit for hours experimenting with different sounds and combinations and then layering tracks to create a full sounding composition. What I find most fascinating about music is there is no end to its mysterious attraction. This attraction keeps musicians all over the world striving to improve on what I consider to be one of God’s most precious gifts — music. Daniel A. Blea is a special education teacher at Clovis High School.