Marion Dickenson recounts her great-granddaughter playing at Carnegie Hall

Jun. 25—THOMASVILLE- Local resident Marion Dickenson recently returned from her first trip to New York City, where she watched her great granddaughter, Anastasia Wade perform Chopin's Nocturne, Op 9, #2 in E Flat Major at Carnegie Hall. Wade previously prepared for her trip by performing at Dawson Street Methodist Church.

According to Dickenson, Anastasia began playing the piano when she was just over 3 years old. However, Dickenson wasn't surprised as she comes from a long line of talented individuals.

Dickenson learned to play the piano at 60 years old, primarily playing hymns. She said she no longer is able to play as much as she would like, due to her eyesight, but previously played the violin as well.

"Her grandfather played all kinds of instruments and our grandson played the piano beautifully," Dickenson said. "He was offered a scholarship, but chose to follow a path in Engineering."

Dickenson said she recognized Anastasia's talent early on and believed it was a God-given gift.

In order to refine her gift, Anastasia began playing with the Gulf Coast Steinway Society, where she was guided through careful instruction.

"She took lessons in Gulf Breeze and then entered a competition," Dickenson explained. "For three years in a row, she won second place."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Anastasia was unable to perform at Carnegie Hall, despite her 2nd place finish.

However, all that changed during this year's competition.

Anastasia was able to travel and play at Carnegie Hall, bringing with her her mother, Brittni Wade, her father, James Wade, her grandmother, Sheree Dickenson, her great- grandmother, Marion and her younger sister.

"It was real special," said Dickenson. "She looked absolutely beautiful and was the youngest to play."

Dickenson said Anastasia had told her she was nervous only moments before going onstage, but she could never tell.

"You couldn't tell any of that was happening," Dickenson said. "A lot of people had tears during her performance, because the piece she played was so beautiful. She really did a good job. I was really pleased with her."

Dickenson said she was concerned nerves may get the best of Anastasia, because she wasn't allowed to use sheet music during her piece, which lasted approximately five minutes, but Anastasia wowed her, along with many others.

"That's a scary thing for a 9 year old," Dickenson said. "She was really nervous, but she did us all proud."

Beyond her family, Anastasia also impressed several individuals in attendance, especially the director of the Steinway Society, which is known nationwide.

According to Dickenson, he approached the family, lauding Anastasia's performance.

"I never imagined she would play at Carnegie Hall, but she really just touches your heart every time she plays that piano, because she really puts her heart and soul in the piece," Dickenson said. "She gets lost in the music. It's magic really; it's not something you can learn, you just have it in you."

For Dickenson, this trip was special for multiple reasons.

Not only was she seeing her great-granddaughter perform at Carnegie Hall, she was also visiting New York City for the first time- a place she had only heard about when living in England.

"I was very happy to go at my age," Dickenson said. "I am 88, and I'm glad I had the stamina to go. We walked and saw a lot of sights and the weather was absolutely perfect."

For Dickenson, Rockefeller Center was a place she had always wanted to see, after viewing the lighting of the Christmas tree for years on NBC. This trip allowed her to check that off her bucket list.

"I really enjoyed seeing that," she said. "We also went on a cruise and saw the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island."

Dickenson's favorite sight will forever be seeing her great-granddaughter on stage Carnegie Hall and a memory she will never forget.

As for the future, Dickenson said Anastasia has found another piece she is interested in learning, but it has been put on hold while the family relocates to Tennessee.