Eleanor Giacoletti is a renowned pianist. For most of her life, ebony and ivory keys have brought her and the hundreds of students she has taught tremendous joy and great satisfaction.
“Music was an ordinary part of my life,” she said. “I learned to play at an early age, 6 or so, and continued to play throughout high school and played for my high school graduation.”
Giacoletti’s step-uncle was her teacher from about age 11 or 12, so while most children may have had one lesson per week, she had three or four. By the time she was ready for college, she was already quite advanced.
She went on to major in music. She and her husband, Robert, opened Giocoletti Music in Carlsbad, California. The school brought in 400-500 students and 15-16 teachers, and offered courses in piano, strings, brass, and voice. It was a family-run business, with the Giacolettis’ daughter, grandson, and granddaughters working there at different times.
“Music is for everyone,” Giacoletti said. “At one time, it was a standard part of education, just as history or math. Unfortunately, music is being taken out of schools today, reduced to a few minutes per week in the elementary grades.”
She is thankful for her parents, who encouraged her to take piano and made her stick with practicing.
Numerous Tullahoma parents, such as Cyndi Eads, are thankful for Giacoletti.
“We wanted our children to have a strong musical foundation, but even more importantly, we wanted them to learn from someone who genuinely cared about her students,” said Eads. “She was exactly that kind of teacher.”
Eads’ older daughter, Carly Eads, recalled how Giacoletti helped her excel to the advanced-intermediate level by demonstrating patience and encouraging her to practice.
“As an adult now, the piano is something I hold very dear to me. I still have songs or parts of songs memorized, and I like to play whenever I’m near a piano or keyboard,” she said. “Almost daily, I listen to music, including records of beautiful instrumental piano. I believe Ms. Giacoletti plays a huge role in that.”
According to Eads, because their family’s schedules were busy with school, sports, and other activities, making time for practice required planning and commitment, but was always worth it.
“Although my children learned how to read music and how to develop their piano skills, they gained so much more,” Eads said. “They learned discipline, perseverance, and responsibility. They discovered that improvement comes one small step at a time — a lesson that extends far beyond music.”
Giacoletti said she wished all parents could understand the benefits of music education for students. They enroll their children at an early age, but the children often want to quit when the lessons are harder, or they become more interested in other things.
“I think too many parents leave the decision up to their children.” Then, with a chuckle, she added, “Can you imagine them wanting to quit math or history?”
Giacoletti said students don’t always know what’s best for them and often regret quitting when they grow older. She has had several come back as adults and tease her, saying, “Why did you let me quit? I miss it now.”
Carly’s younger sister, Chloe Walton, is thankful her parents encouraged her to stick with music because it is a gift she will always have — a gift she and her husband, Tyler Walton, wish to pass on to their 2-year-old son, Beau.
“I enjoy having music in my home and sharing it with family,” Chloe said. “One of my favorite things is taking Beau to his music class each week. I hope he develops the same appreciation Ms. Giacoletti helped instill in me.”
Though her Tullahoma music family adores her, Giacoletti didn’t plan on a full teaching schedule when she and her husband moved to Tennessee. They found a quiet community and settled in. One of the residents, whom Giacoletti had never met, was also a piano teacher. When she decided to retire, she gave all her students Giacoletti’s number. What a surprise!
“I had no idea why all of these people were calling me,” she said with a laugh. “I was expecting to slow down.” But her love for music and for young people prevailed, and she was a teacher again.
Sadly, her husband passed away in 2018. He was her life partner, in business, and in music. He had a wonderful voice, and the two performed together, mostly in church or at weddings. When they came to Tullahoma, it was just the two of them. However, their two daughters and son followed. Two grandsons and a niece also made Tullahoma their home.
She currently has 20 or so students each week and holds recitals twice a year at First Methodist Church. She still enjoys listening to classical music and keeps in touch with some of her former students. She became acquainted with Tullahoma’s band program through its band director and has since become a fan, marveling at the students’ performances.
Whether she is playing, teaching, or listening, the secret to unlocking the happiness in Giacoletti’s heart remains 88 black-and-white keys and the beautiful music they make. GN
