Piano Guidance
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What medical school was a 13 year old accepted to?

FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth's Alena Analeigh McQuarter landed in the record books this summer as the youngest Black person ever accepted to medical school. The 13-year-old is currently a junior in college, attending Arizona State University and Oakwood University at the same time online.

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Fort Worth's Alena Analeigh McQuarter landed in the record books this summer as the youngest Black person ever accepted to medical school. The 13-year-old is currently a junior in college, attending Arizona State University and Oakwood University at the same time online.

She is one year away from graduating with a double Bachelor's degree.

She will attend a master's program before attending medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine. This isn't the first time McQuarter made history. At 12 years old, she became the youngest person to ever intern with NASA. Since, she's decided she has set her sights on the medical field. "I was like, this is what I want to do. I want to go into healthcare. I want to help others and get involved with underrepresented communities," she said. "There are viruses all over the world that don’t have cures and I want to be the person who helps to find those cures." McQuarter also started her own foundation, Brown STEM Girl, which offers mentorship and encouragement to girls to follow their dreams, and consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

On top of studying, Alena also travels, plays soccer and bakes.

Her mother, Daphne McQuarter, says it is important for her daughter to have balance. "It was my job to nurture the gift I saw in her and understanding her as a kid and letting her have the space to be a kid," she said. Alena says she couldn't have achieved her goals without her mom by her side. "From that young age she always saw something special in me. She knew there was something different, and she used it as a chance to show me that there’s a whole world out there that needs what I am doing right now."

Is G sharp the same as a flat?
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Today's chord is G-sharp, which is more commonly known by its enharmonic equivalent, A-flat. Because G-sharp has eight sharps (meaning one of the...

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Do pianists get carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Symptoms Pianists May Face You may be suffering early onset or advanced carpal tunnel. You should start by taking some time off, stretching and icing, and easing back into the piano with perfect technique -- if the issue does not improve, you will need to consult a medical professional.

philadelphiapianoinstitute.com - Why Do My Wrists Hurt When Playing Piano?

Is Your Wrist Supposed To Hurt When Playing The Piano?

No, you should not experience any wrist pain whatsoever when playing the piano. Pain is a warning -- our bodies are telling us that something is wrong -- and we can adjust our playing technique accordingly to make sure we stay healthy. Also, you don’t necessarily have a serious injury or nerve damage just because your wrist hurts. You should address the pain, stretch, and correct your technique as soon as possible, but it will only develop into something serious (like carpal tunnel) if you ignore the pain and continue playing the same way.

Can Playing Piano Cause Carpal Tunnel?

Sadly, yes - many pianists struggle with carpal tunnel. Here’s what you need to know about this issue and what you can do about it.

Carpal Tunnel Symptoms Pianists May Face

Have experienced any of the following?

Weakness in the hands

Numbness in the hands or fingertips

Tingling sensations

Chronic aching pain

Burning sensations

You may be suffering early onset or advanced carpal tunnel. You should start by taking some time off, stretching and icing, and easing back into the piano with perfect technique -- if the issue does not improve, you will need to consult a medical professional. DO NOT “play through the pain” and keep practicing as usual. If you do, you could end up in therapy, and you’ll spend upwards of a year before you can play the piano at your current level.

What Exactly Causes Carpal Tunnel?

The carpal tunnel is a bundle of nerves and tendons that runs from your palm through to your forearm. Wrist tension and activity can put pressure on the median nerve (right in the center of this bundle), causing numbness, tingling, pain, or a burning sensation.

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