Hello!  I am Angelica - raised in San Francisco, the eldest of five children.  As stated above, my father was a waiter who, for twenty years, worked two full-time jobs as a waiter to send us to schooll and to pay for our family's home.  Last year, the City of San Francisco became the legal guardian for both my parents after the court unexpectedly denied my youngest brother's plea to become their conservator.  I became disabled over ten years ago, and the youngest was the only sibling who could care for them.  The City placed my parents in a retirement facility because they were judged no longer able to care for themselves.  This jeopardized their home because they had a reverse mortgage which required them to reside there.  They could not be absent from their home for more than six months at a time.  I tried to save them from this situation, and even tried to raise funds for legal fees through crowdfunding, but was unsuccessful.  They just lost their home to the bank.

My piano has always remained at my parents' home.  It is a beautiful Chickering piano, and my father's gamble on buying it for me was not in vain.  I began and completed fourteen years of lessons, eleven years with a private teacher, and another three years in the Prepatory Department of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  My training there included private lessons and the equivalent of seven years of musicianship along with music theory classes.  I would frequently play the piano for family, friends and sometimes at grade school.  Of my own accord, I also would play at retirement homes to bring some cheer to the residents.  By the time I was in high school, my classmates at St. Paul's realized how far I had developed through the years.  However, when I went to college, I had to leave my instrument behind because I did not have the money to take it to Los Angeles with me.

I call the Chickering an American dream because its manufacturer, Chickering & Sons, was the America's first full manufacturer of pianos. Theirs is an illustrious history, with Chickerings having been in the White House and known throughout Europe. Famous pianists such as Franz Liszt and composer Edvard Grieg played on a Chickering, and even Henry E. Steinway, the founder for Steinway pianos, was profoundly interested in them. I have played on many pianos, including Steinways and Bosendorfs. My Chickering compares well with them. Although it looks very modern, with clean, sleek lines, it was manufactured between 1905 and 1910.

I have no piano here, but have always hoped to play again for people.  My playing affects others.  My classmates and those who have heard me can attest to that.  I always intended to bring my piano to Los Angeles, but did not have the room for it.  Now, this turn of events has occurred at a time when I do not have the additional money to retrieve my instrument.  II have been notified that it will be taken from me and, out of desperation, I am turning to you.  Please do not let this beautiful instrument be ripped from me.  In all, it will be the only inheritance I will receive.  I know that there are many worse situations in life.  But I also know that I can use my talents to bring joy to others, to lift their spirits.  Since I no longer work, I definitely have the time to give of myself to others.