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By MICHELE SAGER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2007

Audio: Listen to one of Mia Sager's songs

CARROLLWOOD - As her fingers danced across the scratched keys, Mia Sager continued her daily ritual of piano practice.

Her piano's hammers are worn, the keys are chipped and the pedals occasionally stick. Mia doesn't let that dissuade her. She relies on her worn Wurlitzer to hone her skill, and she dreams of the day her fingertips can glide across a new set of 88s.

The 11-year-old is on a mission to buy a new piano and recently recorded a CD to raise money. Mia is selling 'Classics by Mia,' which she recorded at Morrisound Recording Studios in Temple Terrace.

'It was a lot of hard work to make this CD, but I really wanted to do it,' Mia said.

Her mother, Clara, said Mia spent the summer practicing and preparing to record the CD.

'While she was in the house practicing her piano, she could hear other kids outside splashing in the pool and enjoying the outdoors,' Clara said. 'But this is something Mia really wanted to do because she has a real passion for it.'

The Carrollwood Day School student has played the piano since she was 3. She studies with teacher Olga Kuehl White.

Mia practices on a Wurlitzer upright that her mother bought used for $200. She performs at recitals and public events around Tampa. Mia said she hopes to raise enough money with the sale of her CDs, which are $20 each.

'I haven't picked out the piano I want because I don't know how much money I will earn, and I don't want to get my heart set on something I can't afford,' Mia said.

Piano prices range from $1,000 to $60,000, depending on brand and size.

Mia's CD is a compilation of 12 of her favorite classical songs. The tracks include 'Fur Elise' by Ludwig van Beethoven and 'Gigue' by Johann Sebastian Bach.

'I wanted to do an interpretation of my favorite pieces and share it with others,' Mia said.

Mia keeps busts of famous composers such as Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart atop her piano.

'Every time I work on a new composer's music, I get a bust,' she said. 'But sometimes I get frustrated when I'm working on a piece, and I turn around the head so I don't have to look at that composer's face.'

During her recording sessions for the CD, Mia admitted to getting nervous.

'I was nervous while I played, but I got familiar with the process, and it got easier,' she said.

Clara Sager said the experience is a good lesson for her daughter.

'It's teaching her that it takes hard work to get something you want,' she said.

As for her current Wurlitzer, Mia has no plans to abandon her longtime friend.

'I could never get rid of it,' she said. 'I learned so much on it. I just love it.'

'CLASSICS BY MIA'

To purchase 'Classics by Mia,' e-mail cgeneva@aol.com or call (813) 908-2806.

To hear a sample of the CD, go to TBO.com, keyword Mia. Mia and Clara Sager are not related to reporter Michele Sager. Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager @tampatrib.com. To hear a sample of the CD, go to TBO.com, keyword Mia.

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