Selva family memories...

"Ms. Joan was more than a piano teacher for the Selva family. Our children started piano lessons with Ms. Joan in 2009 soon after we moved to the Houston area.

Kavita was in 4th grade and Kumi in 1st grade when they started lessons with her. Our kids learned from a wonderful teacher in New York and we wanted to find a teacher in Houston who was kind but also someone who could keep them disciplined. What we got in Ms. Joan was lot more than that. Our children got a mentor, an advisor and a friend. Our kids went on to study piano from Ms. Joan until they completed high school. Kavita graduated from her piano lessons in 2017 and Kumi in 2020. There were many challenging situations with school, other activities family emergencies etc. but our kids and Ms. Joan were committed to each other. They looked forward to every class with her. Over the years they trusted Ms. Joan and fell more and more in love with her.

As an immigrant family with no relatives nearby, Ms. Joan was like our family. Ms. Joan stood by our family through tough times. She always checked in on us and offered prayers. She was one of the very few people who watched our children grow up into adults. She was integral in building their character and making them into who they are today. Ms. Joan taught them to be kind and compassionate and care about others without passing judgement.

One of our fondest memories of Ms. Joan is when we ran into her in a shopping mall in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2010. It was a pleasant surprise and became a highlight of the trip. Ms. Joan made sure she asked the kids to practice piano as soon as they got back from vacation!

We were truly blessed to have had her in our lives and to have received her love, affection and guidance and prayers all these years.

We love you and miss you so much Ms.Joan. We were not ready to say good bye to you but we will strive to live by your example. We will continue to pray for your family."

-The Selva family.