What is Left Hand Lemonade?
Left Hand Lemonade™ is an inspiring story of resilience and triumph when my life suddenly and drastically changed in an unexpected instant. I share my story in hopes that it lifts you up and brings encouragement during these surreal times.
My world came crashing down on me when I tripped over a curb in a shopping center. I tried to catch myself, but all of the sudden I was on the hard, cold cement pavement looking at my right hand ring finger screaming. It looked so deformed I thought it must have fallen off. My finger was crushed, and so was my soul.
Between June 2017 and Oct 2019:
- two immediate surgeries to heal seven complicated fractures
- an unexpected bone slip between surgeries
- a diagnosis of CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
- being told by a medical professional that I'd never play piano again
- trauma therapy
- successful alternative therapies to treat CRPS
- two occupational therapy sessions weekly
- two more surgeries to increase range of motion
- hourly hand stretches
- sleeping with customized hand splints
- marriage to my hand paraffin wax bath
During a consultation with my hand surgeon, he said, “You've been through so much, and you do it all with a smile and an attitude of gratitude. I hope you write a book when this is all said and done.”
That conversation inspired the birth of Left Hand Lemonade™, a memoir I've been writing for the last year, about a musician's journey from tragedy to triumph. Plans to turn Left Hand Lemonade™ into an album of piano music for left hand only are also in the works.
Throughout my continuing right hand recovery, I've been performing concerts with my left hand only while sharing my story of resilience. I didn't listen to a hand therapist early on who told me I'd never perform again with two hands. Instead, I gradually added my right hand to my left during my performances. “Little by little”, my new hand therapist kept saying. And, she was right. I'm now playing with both hands.
When the coronavirus pandemic erupted, I performed my first ever Facebook Live Concert, hosted by Groupmuse. Receiving this feedback warmed my heart.
“You hold our hearts while you play.”
“This was very inspiring during a difficult time.”
“Your concert was the best thing I've seen since the crisis began. I was in tears at several points.”
Thank you to these patrons who contributed to the making of
Left Hand Lemonade Live
Angela Gilligan
Erica Sofrina
Linda Schurer
Candace Troy
Colette Brown
Cynthia Mullen
Joan Lowenstein
Ian McGee
Elena Dillon
Tammy Damon
M. Cecilia Sternzon
Nancy Quickert
Pamela Fisher
Eric Hartwig
Elizabeth Brown
Maryann Chwalek
Carol Lee
Eric Hartwig
Carol Rossi
Reidun Sognnaes
The Left Hand Lemonade weekly FB Lives are completely free and open to all. If contributing is feasible, tips will help with operating costs, equipment and preparation time. PayPal.me/LisaSpector
Left Hand Lemonade Album Fundraiser
11/14/20
Election Survival Music
11/2/20
Election Survival Music for Anti-Anxiety
10/27/20
Election Survival Music for Focus
10/22/20
Election Survival Music for Anti-Anxiety
10/21/20
Demystifying Classical Musicians
Saturday night Facebook Lives continue into a new format, while working with Facebook's restrictions on creating “Music Experiences.” If you know me, you know I always find a way. We bring you interviews with interesting classical musicians who share some of their music while we unravel the mysteries around being a classical musician.
Happy Hour with Flutist Viviana Guzman
10/17/20
Happy Hour with Lyric Soprano Erica Sofrina
10/3/20
Left Hand Lemonade (fb) Lives with Lisa
Theme and Variations
9/19/20
Stars, Elise and The Clown
Music inspired by children
9/12/20
Adagio
9/5/20
Groupmuse hosts Red, White &
Rhapsody in Blue on YouTube Live
8/29/20
Etudes for one and two hands
8/15/20
Music for one and two hands in memory of Leon Fleisher
8/8/20
Go for Baroque
7/25/20
French Soirée
7/18/20
Demystifying Classical Music
7/11/20
Dog Gone Calm During Fireworks
7/4/20
Red, White & Rhapsody in Blue
6/27/20
Nocturnes
6/20/20
Transcriptions
6/13/20
Latin music of Piazzolla and Villa-Lobos
6/6/20
Preludes: Bach, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Chopin
5/30/20
Sonatas: Scarlatti, Haydn, Chopin
5/23/20
New Music for Dogs
5/16/20
All Left Hand Program
5/9/20
Handemic Music: Anti-anxiety, focus, creativity, sonic caffeine
5/2/20
All Chopin
4/25/20
Somber music for one and two hands
4/18/20
Launch of Left Hand Lemonade (fb) Live with Lisa
Bach for one hand, Brahms for two
4/11/20
