We heard from Nate today that the last piano teacher with whom he studied before going off to Eastman — Emilio del Rosario — had died.
Mr. del Rosario meant a lot to us, since he took Nate under his tutelage even though it became clear that Nate wasn’t going to become a competitive pianist. He and Nate liked one another; Mr. del Rosario would tell him jokes, and although Nate wasn’t wont to practice constantly, he did keep playing. We recognise him in the Tribune’s obituary: “It’s really very simple. I not only love what I do, I love my students as well. They are like my children. And I am one of the luckiest people around.” A wonderfully gracious sentiment; thank you, Maestro.
And to the Trib: Thanks for all those ads surrounding and pasted into the middle of the obituary. Way to keep things classy.