          What do Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and John Legend all have in common? They have me as an admirer for their soulful singing voices and exquisite piano playing skills! Unfortunately, I never learned how to play the piano and I am not the best singer, but I do have a strong passion for music and secretly hope that I will be the next Alicia Keys. Needless to say, when I first saw the random, beautifully painted piano sitting directly in front of the Irvine Barclay Theatre,
I was immediately intrigued by it.
           The first time I saw the piano, a little girl was showing off her skills while her mother stood next to her watching proudly. As I saw this happen, I began to wonder where in the world this piano came from and what it was doing here on campus at UC Irvine.Â
            As I delved deeper into the story, I learned that the piano is part of a project titled, “OC Can You Play?” created by Orange County’s very own Pacific Symphony. There are twenty pianos located in different locations in Orange County including one at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, three at South Coast Plaza, and one at the Irvine Spectrum Center.These pianos have all been painted by local artists. The artist responsible for the beautiful work on our very own piano at the Barclay is a UCIundergraduate student named Sharon Whelchel.The piano has been here since January 16th and it is open to absolutely anyone who would like to play!
      In fact, Pacific Symphony even encourages people to get together with friends and family to create their own event at any one of the pianos! So, if anyone has been eager to play or would like to take part in a performance, then I would suggest they get to it quickly because the piano will only be here until February 6th. Towards the end of “OC Can You Play?” all 20 pianos will be auctioned off on an online charity auction called Bidding for Good. All proceeds will go toPacific Symphony’s artistic and education programs. I believe it’s a win-win situation. We have been granted full access to the piano for three weeks and at the same time, we are participating in a good cause!
          Many students, including myself, have been very pleased with the piano stationed here. Whenever I get the chance, I stop by and listen to the wonderful music people are playing. It is just so nice to take a break from a full day of classes, studying, meetings, and work and take in the music. It always puts me in a more pleasant, stress-free mood. Agasi Nazaryan, a 3rd year Biology major, while listening to his friends play one Friday afternoon said, “It’s amazing what music does to people. It creates…life.” I couldn’t agree with him more.Â
          One student I have seen playing the piano very often is 2nd year Biology major,
Marc Salvatus. I was thoroughly impressed by his cover of the Mario Brothers theme song, and it reminded me of my younger days when I used to play with my siblings. Little did I know that had yet to exhaust his entire repertoire. He went on to play the theme song to Power Rangers, Family Guy and even played his own version of Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” and Usher’s “DJ Got Us Falling in Love Again,” which of course drew a large audience. Marc said that he wishes the piano would stay longer. He said, “It gives people who are interested in music, whether you are an amateur or have been playing all of your life, a chance to play. It’s also a chance to be courageous. Since the piano is placed in such an open environment, anyone can hear you play!”
          I still have not laid a finger on the keys of this piano nor am I any step closer to my dream of being the next Alicia Keys, but I can surely say that from observing what positive effects the piano has by being here on campus, I believe that I have gained so much more admiration for music itself. I only wish that somehow, there were more projects like this at UC Irvine that have the ability to appeal to everyone and can bring students from different backgrounds and majors together. Music is just one of those things that are completely universal
           For the rest “OC Can you play?” I would like to continue stopping by the piano whenever I can to soak in the beautiful live music. Music is truly a gift. It is a gift to the performer providing the music as well as a gift to the audience listening to every note! Enjoy the piano while it is here!