"Through the Pain" feature piece.

For my Foundations of Journalism class, we had to write a feature piece of a topic of our choosing. I chose to write my article on my friend, Annie. Normally, this is the part where I would give a little introduction as to why her story is unique, but I think that would give too much away. Instead, I will leave you with a picture I recently took of her and let you read on.

Annie King.

Piano performance major Annie King should not be playing piano. For the past three years, tendonitis has plagued her arms to the point of almost crippling her ability to play altogether.

Having played extensively for twelve years, piano is far more than a hobby for King; piano is a way of life. Her path to reach this point has not come without its share of challenges, however.

A strong-willed five-year old, King started playing piano because her older brother played. She wanted to do everything her brother did, and “was determined to do it better,” she notes. Her father, who had played violin as a teenager, wanted all of his children to play piano—something he wished he had done. Early on, he saw her interest in piano and passion for music, so he let her go for it.

It did not take long before piano became central to her life. King was homeschooled for half of elementary school and all of middle school in order to allow time for her to practice. Spending up to nearly eight hours a day practicing piano did not allow her to have a standard school schedule, and she spent a lot of time by herself. King said that when she would practice alone for such an extended period of time, she had a lot of time to think. These countless hours became part of her prayer times, and she grew closer to God. In her everyday life, playing piano was as natural as breathing.

In her freshman year of high school, a developing pain threatened that lifestyle. Tendonitis was beginning to set in. According to the Mayo Clinic online, tendonitis is the irritation of the tendons—the fibers that attach muscles to bone. Tendonitis is more commonly referred to as tennis elbow, or perhaps in King’s case, pianist’s elbow. As the tendons fray, the pain can be excruciating. King avoided mentioning this pain to anyone.

She played through the pain, but it kept getting worse. Eventually, she worked up the nerve to tell her teacher and her parents. They searched for ways to help the problem, but her arms continued to go downhill. King talked to a couple of doctors regarding what she should do; both of them said she needed to rest her arms by not playing. These instructions left her conflicted. She was in the height of competition and strengthening her skills. King continued to play.

Soon, she began to learn from a teacher who showed her different playing techniques, hoping to lessen the pain of her tendonitis. These techniques helped her arms, but they did not fix them. This teacher became the first person to tell King she should quit playing piano altogether. He said if she continued to go at the rate she was, she could ruin her arms permanently. She would never be able to play piano again—or even do daily tasks.

When King first heard these words, emotions began to take over. She could not imagine her world without music. Rather than let this possibility discourage her, though, King became more diligent than ever. She became determined to master the techniques that could improve her tendonitis. It made her more passionate about music, and she cherished every minute she was able to practice.

Through these struggles, King knew that music would always be a part of her life, but she was not entirely sure to what extent. Last April, nearing the end of her third year in high school, King’s guidance counselor looked at her transcripts and told her she could graduate in June if she took two more classes. So King did just that—completed those two final courses and graduated a year early. Because of how late these decisions had been made, King did not have many options when it came to colleges. Biola was the only school where she could get an audition for music, and it became the only school where she applied. “God just kind of threw it on my plate—and now I’m eating it,” she says.

An integral part of King’s decision-making has been the influence of her family. Over the years, music has brought them together. King’s siblings are musicians, and together they are able to share in a unique language. Her parents and her siblings are proud of what she has accomplished. King’s sister, Megan King, admires her younger sister for how she uses “her unique style to glorify [God].” A musician himself, King’s father, Mitch King, acknowledges that his daughter’s gift is God-given, and “people have been blessed by it” because of the work she has poured into her craft.

When King talks about music, her face lights up. Her eyes are bright and a smile spreads across her face. On the other hand, while sitting at a piano, her face turns serious as she becomes engrossed in the music. Her lean fingers effortlessly dance across the two-toned keys.

With each note she plays, the pain burns through her arms. As the music builds, so does her discomfort. She clings to the fact that God is working through her struggle. He has taught her lessons that reach far beyond piano playing. She has learned that she must depend on Him on a day-to-day basis. He has a plan that is so much better than her own. King has no intention of giving up on her love for music. As long as she is able—by God’s grace—she will continue to use her gifts for His glory, even through the pain.