Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025)

Among the many wonderful things I love about New York is the fact that there are so many  different cultures in the same city. This means that on a day like Easter Sunday one can choose  to celebrate a variety of traditions by simply choosing a destination. 

I decided I wanted to learn how Easter Sunday is observed within the Greek Orthodox Church,  so I went to the Greek Archdiocese of America on East 79th Street & 5th Avenue. I found out  however that their services begin on Holy Saturday, and continue through until midnight of  Easter Sunday morning, when the services are then concluded. 

Having made that discovery I then chose to celebrate another tradition by giving candy to Mr.  Alexander and Mr. Buono, as well as his two cats. Easter symbolizes rebirth and the resurrection  of Jesus Christ, and the Easter Bunny, which is a tradition that was brought from Germany to  America, is a symbol of new life. Also, people remember Easter with candy because usually  during Lent one has to give up something, and for many people it is sweets, which is why many  people give them on Easter. Eggs are also given because they symbolize new life emerging  from the shell. 

After shopping for candy at a wonderful store that was open on Easter Sunday, I went to Mr.  Buono’s house for my lesson, and worked on Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 3 in B-minor, Op.  58, which I am performing at my recital on May 9. During the lesson I also took time to try on a pair of shoes by Betsy Johnson I am planning to wear at the concert to see how they work  with the pedals. 

Following the lesson my mother, Mr. Buono and I met Mr. Alexander in Hudson Yards for dinner.  We ate at a restaurant called Locanda Verde which is owned by the American actor Robert De  Niro. It is a beautiful restaurant, and the food was excellent. 

Afterward we walked out and saw The Vessel, a structure which was built by the British designer  Thomas Heatherwick. It has 154 flights of stairs, 2,500 steps, and 80 landings for visitors to  climb. 

I hope to climb the stairs one day, but only after I finish my rehearsals here in New York!