Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music Student Anna Maxwell's Distinctive Path Leads to University of Utah Piano Acceptance
Salt Lake City, UT (PRUnderground) August 13th, 2026
The Peterson School of Music is celebrating the achievements of student Anna Maxwell, who has been accepted into the University of Utah's piano performance program. Born with a congenital amputation, a condition in which portions of her hands did not develop fully before birth, Anna's musical journey reflects years of dedication, talent, and perseverance.
Music has always been an integral part of Anna's life. As a child, she was intrigued by the piano and started playing it on her own and learning songs by ear. She continued to self-teach, and when looking for a career change at the age of 26, felt a strong pull to follow that passion even more strongly. Anna began looking for a job at a music school, and found a role for an administrative assistant at the Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music in Salt Lake City. Motivated by the dedication of the students around her, Anna decided to set new goals for herself as a pianist.
"Working here at the school, I felt really inspired being around students who work so hard and are so committed to bettering themselves at their art. I decided I wanted to start practicing more and be more deliberate. I set a goal in January of 2024, New Year's Eve, to bring one or two pieces up to a level I would feel comfortable performing," she said.
Anna began playing when she could in the school's practice rooms. The piano ensemble teacher, Dr. Cahill Smith, noticed and invited her to a lesson. She said that the first lesson felt like a lightning bolt moment, making her realize that lessons can be about more than technique, but also musical interpretation, expression, and understanding the deeper theory behind each piece. At 29, she began her studies through the school's Academy program, focused on high-quality individual lessons, with Dr. Koji Attwood, who earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Juilliard School.
Before her experience with the Peterson School of Music, Anna had not pursued formal piano instruction, questioning whether traditional teaching methods could accommodate her disability and the way she approached the instrument. Dr. Attwood worked to understand Anna's natural approach to the instrument and only suggested changes as needed, making adjustments that would support her development while preserving the emotional expression and artistry at the center of her playing.
The support and encouragement Anna found at the Peterson School also changed the way she viewed learning itself. She offers this advice to anyone nervous about taking music lessons:
"As soon as I stopped viewing lessons as a vehicle to prove myself, but instead as an opportunity to improve myself, that really helped shift the perspective into something that you can create instead of this big scary thing that you have to measure up to," she said.
Today, Anna plays pieces she couldn't imagine performing before, including songs by legendary composers such as Rachmaninoff. Her progress reflects her dedication as a musician, as well as the impact of having teachers who recognized her potential and passion to help her discover what was possible. Anna credits the school's founders, Eugene and Vera Watanabe, along with her instructor Dr. Attwood, with making the piano performance degree possible, saying that the encouragement she received transformed what she believed she could achieve.
"I had pretty much set aside the idea of higher education for myself, let alone in music and much less in piano, until a series of conversations with Eugene," she said.
This fall, Anna will continue her musical journey in the University of Utah's prestigious Piano Performance Program, where she hopes to expand her repertoire, deepen her understanding of the instrument, and continue discovering new ways to connect with audiences through music. Her story reflects the mission of the Peterson School of Music, which is to provide students with the support, instruction, and encouragement needed to pursue their artistic goals, wherever their journey may lead.
About Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music:
The Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music, formerly the Gifted Music School, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation committed to providing the highest level of music education. Based in Salt Lake City, the school launched in 2008 with the mission to provide a comprehensive pathway to world-class music education, with an expansive curriculum and distinguished faculty. Through its full-scholarship GRIT program, it ensures access to high-quality instruction for students of all backgrounds. The school stands as a beacon of musical excellence and education, shaping the young musicians of tomorrow. Visit petersonschoolofmusic.org for more information.
