issue feature



Ophthalmologist Andrew Mays, who moonlights as a classically trained pianist, dazzles the music world after a 20-year hiatus.
By Tatiana Richards

On June 6, 2007, Dr. Andrew Mays found himself a finalist waiting to perform on one of the biggest stages in the world for amateur pianists: the namesake competition of famed pianist Van Cliburn. Mays hadn’t expected to make it this far, not because he lacked skill—after all, he holds two degrees in music and spent years studying at some of the best institutions in the world. Nor was he new to the world of competition— he had placed second in a similar contest a year before. What most worried Mays was the fact that he’d just recently begun to play again—after a 20-year hiatus.

Pushing all doubts aside, he sat down and began to play.

A LIFELONG PASSION
Mays’ passions led him to both music and medicine, and he’s dedicated time to studying both. “I don’t ever remember not playing the piano,” he says. He received a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Alabama before studying at the Conservatory of Music in Hanover, Germany, and the Manhattan School of Music. By 1987, he had returned to Alabama and earned a master’s in music, studying under Amanda Pienick, whom he credits as his biggest inspiration. That year, he also got married and began a residency in ophthalmology at UAB’s Callahan Eye Center. After he graduated, Mays spent the next few years building a successful medical career.

For 11 years, Mays has maintained a private practice. There was one drawback— because of the devotion and energy Mays put into his family and career, there was little time for music.

So, he essentially took a break—a 20- year break—from music.

In 2002, Mays began to practice again, to serve as an example to his four children. “At first it was painful— literally,” he says, recalling the initial muscle pain and fatigue. But, he says, if God gives you some measure of talent, it’s your responsibility to use it.

By 2006 he felt ready to test his skills. That year, he and his family vacationed in Colorado Springs, where he competed in the Rocky Mountain Amateur Piano Competition. Of the 25 participants, Mays finished second.

The experience propelled him to set his sights on an even bigger prize—the Van Cliburn competition.

VAN CLIBURN
Held biannually, the Van Cliburn Foundation’s International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs is widely considered to be among the most prestigious contests of its kind. The competition is open to players 35 and older whose primary source of income is neither performance nor piano instruction. The three-round competition starts out with 75 players in the preliminaries; from there, 25 are selected to compete in the semi-finals. Finally, six players are selected to present 25- to 30-minute recitals, and from among these six, one will be named the champion.

“Being in the competition was nervewracking and grueling,” says Mays. “For me, it is not a very natural feeling to go onto the stage … I get nervous. I can’t sit still, I just pace back and forth.”

But Mays made it into the semifinals, which had been his goal. Still, he had been hopeful enough to bring his tuxedo in case he made it to the final round. And he did. After intense performances by the six finalists came the awards ceremony. Before the winner was announced, Mays received two awards—one for Best Romantic Performance and the Audience Award, which, in addition to declaring him the crowd favorite, came with a pair of cowboy boots.

Then came time to announce the prize everyone had been waiting for.

The competition had started out with 75 competitors, but in the end, there was only one winner—Mays.

Since winning the competition, it doesn’t seem likely that Mays will be taking another 20-year break. He’s gotten the chance to perform in venues in different parts of the country, from Laguna Beach, Calif., to Washington, D.C. This month, those of us in the Magic city will get a chance to experience his skill when Mays performs live at the Alys Stephens Center on Jan. 23. “I wouldn’t be the person I am now if it wasn’t for music,” he says.
January Birmingham, Alabama

  

 
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