Three times a week, Colby Anderson, an 18-year-old senior computer engineering major at Wright State University, eats his lunch at the Student Union Market and then sits down at a Kawai grand piano and entertains diners with beautiful music that has become the lunchroom\u2019s soundtrack all year.<\/p>\n
Anderson, who began taking College Credit Plus courses at Wright State when he was just 14 years old, said that while he loves computer engineering, playing the piano provides a much-needed creative outlet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt allows me to express what I\u2019m feeling that day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the songs he plays that\u2019s my favorite is \u2018Claire de lune,\u2019\u201d said Christof Archer, a sophomore computer science major who often sits in the Dixon Hearth Lounge, where the piano is located. \u201cIt\u2019s a pretty famous classical piece, and he plays it with a lot of emotion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anderson began expressing himself on the piano when he was 6. His early lessons included public performances, so he\u2019s always been comfortable playing in front of others.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great way to connect with people, and I feel like I\u2019ve met my crowd here,\u201d said Anderson.<\/p>\n
Anderson said sometimes other piano players will stop by to compliment his playing or give him a pat on the back, but most patrons are engaged in conversations and may not notice the music.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really good,\u201d said Logan Sliger, a senior history major. \u201cEven if I\u2019m not paying attention directly, it\u2019s always nice to have it in the background.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anderson will graduate from Wright State with a bachelor\u2019s degree in computer engineering<\/a> on May 3 and has secured a job near the Dayton Campus at Booz Allen Hamilton.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be sad without him playing the piano, but he\u2019s on to bigger and better things,\u201d said Jedd Rismiller, an admissions recruiter who visits the Student Union Market.<\/p>\n Since his new office is close to campus, Anderson said he hopes to visit campus often and would love to play the piano again.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s probably going to be very nostalgic for me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For Colby Anderson, who will graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree in computer engineering this spring at age 18, playing the piano provides a much-needed creative outlet. Continue reading