june 13, 2017 | 12:25am, 2m | euphoric pressure-release

at tonight’s student recital, my youngest student ever (3 years old) played first. too young to know that people typically get nervous for these affairs, he joined me at the piano. it went well and, when it ended, he sort of stood before the piano taking in the warmth and cheers. he began even to dance. “he’s hooked!” i announced. helping the next student, i heard sobs coming from the back of the room. i thought they came from this kid’s (even) younger sister, but learned after the concert that he himself had begun to cry. the whole family left within minutes. his mother wrote and apologized for the emotions. he said he felt “happy and sad at the same time,” she wrote.