Appreciation - Tessie Portelli

David Mifsud writes:

I was deeply saddened to learn of Ms Portelli's demise.

Miss Portelli (as all her students fondly called her) was an outstanding piano teacher. Under her strict and professional guidance, I learnt classical piano performance and, like most of the students she tutored so effectively, passed all grades with success.

I will never forget her former townhouse in Ħamrun, where she dedicated the greater part of her life teaching piano before eventually moving to Balzan. Her prominent grand piano dominated her living room under the portrait of her favourite composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, who looked down at us with a forbidding gaze. I remember nostalgically the many afternoons we spent practising this composer's demanding pieces until Miss Portelli was sure I had reached her exacting standards.

I was always fascinated with her attention to detail coupled with her mounting excitement as the day of the exam relentlessly approached. From Miss Portelli I learnt that in life, just like a well-rehearsed and executed musical piece, good preparation is everything and that nothing can be achieved without sheer hard work.

She preached these timeless values to all her students at every opportunity.

I join my fellow students in thanking her heartily for her wholehearted commitment and selfless devotion to her teaching vocation.

Heartfelt condolences go to Miss Portelli's family and friends who supported her till the end.