Nadia Beard, managing editor of Coda Story and an amateur pianist, has chronicled her journey of musical rediscovery in a new memoir, *The Melody of Things*. The book details her return to piano playing after years of setting music aside to pursue a career in journalism.

Raised in southeast England, Beard’s early life was shaped by a deep connection to music. Guided by her grandmother, she and her sister learned piano from a young age, with Beard’s talent earning her a scholarship to a private school. However, by the time she reached her 30s, Beard had largely abandoned her musical pursuits, consumed by her professional responsibilities.

The turning point came unexpectedly during a visit to friends in Germany, where she encountered a grand piano in an otherwise empty room. On impulse, she sat down and began to play, recalling fragments of pieces by Handel and Schumann. The moment reawakened a passion for music that Beard described as “the elusive, addictive feeling” akin to the early emotions of falling in love.

Determined to reclaim her lost passion, Beard devoted up to three hours a day to piano practice while maintaining a full-time editorial role. Her goal was to prepare for an audition at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire in Georgia, where she aimed to enroll in a one-year music program. Despite feeling out of place alongside more experienced musicians during a preparatory residency in France, she pushed forward, embracing the discipline required.

Beard received her acceptance letter in the summer of 2020 and began her studies in Tbilisi, balancing a demanding schedule that included remote work and intensive practice. Early on, she struggled with self-doubt and long-standing stage fright—challenges that culminated in a difficult initial performance on a piano once played by Soviet pianist Sviatoslav Richter. She feared she might not complete the program as a pianist.

Support came in part through her relationship with Manana Gotsiridze, her conservatoire instructor, who encouraged her to focus on music she loved and to trust the learning process. Additionally, a Canadian cellist named Arlo provided emotional support, helping Beard regain confidence to perform for audiences, gradually scaling from small groups to larger gatherings.

Though Arlo has since returned to Canada, Beard continues to refine both her technique and musical expression with Gotsiridze. By the end of the year, she performed as a soloist with a small chamber ensemble in Europe, marking a significant milestone in her artistic journey.

Beard’s memoir not only recounts her return to music but also explores the emotional complexities of pursuing a passion amid professional demands, self-criticism, and performance anxiety. Ultimately, her story illustrates how perseverance and renewed dedication can help overcome setbacks and sustain a lifelong love of music.