Overcoming All Odds: 2013 IKOF Gold Medalist Abigail Varghese

Abigail Varghese

Abigail’s passion for the piano began at age five. In the following years, she took first prize in local and international competitions, soloed with orchestras, and recorded an album of her own hymn arrangements. In 2013, she was a gold medalist in the International Keyboard Odyssiad and Festival. Several months later she was diagnosed with a rare bone disorder that left her virtually incapacitated. As much as her health allowed, she continued playing, but diminished strength limited her lessons and practice sessions. In 2017, extensive reconstructive surgery was successful, but she still faces challenges. Practicing piano with her dog Pierre by her side serves as welcome therapy. Her teachers have included Elissa Stutz Lechnir, David Kancsar, and Daniel Pollack. She is representing the state of Nevada in the 2021 Music Teachers National Association Piano Competition.

"At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with a rare bone disease called Idiopathic Condylar Resorption (ICR). This disease causes bone loss in one or both jaw joints, causing the palettes to separate, which deforms the face. My case was severe with extreme bone loss in both joints. Chewing food became impossible and required extensive reconstructive surgery once the bones were finished growing.

Prior to my diagnosis, I was taking piano lessons three times a week, practicing six hours a day, and competing and performing regularly. I also recorded an album of my own hymn arrangements.

At the time of my diagnosis in 2013, my teacher of seven years, Elissa Stutz Lechnir became severely ill and stopped teaching. I went on to perform previously scheduled recitals at Zipper Hall in Los Angeles and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Three months later I began studying with Daniel Pollack.

With a team of over a dozen doctors in two states, I had a battery of medical tests and the routine I was used to evaporated. Schoolwork became impossible and piano practice became sporadic. I combined trips to my doctors in California with piano lessons in Professor Pollack’s home. One of the most valuable things Professor Pollack taught me was how to study the score when I was too ill to sit at the piano. He also contacted a former student, David Kancsar, who lives in my area, so that I could have lessons locally.

My piano teachers encouraged me to continue composing. In 2015 I got a puppy named Pierre and composed a song about him which was the first composition I had written since the ICR diagnosis. I then composed a song about ICR titled “I’m So Sick of This”! I performed both of these compositions at one of Professor Pollack’s masterclasses.

In late 2017, I had a successful six hour surgery. I now have thirty-six pins and nine plates in my face. My mom and I lived near the surgeon for several months during the first stage of recovery. Unable to speak, with my face was numb; strangers became friends who offered their pianos for me to play and I enjoyed performing for them. I was also diagnosed with Juvenile Ideopathic Arthritis during this time and began treatment with low dose chemotherapy and weekly biologic self-injections. I remained on these treatments for about a year until it was clear they weren’t helping.

Presently, parts of my face are still numb and I am slowly gaining strength. I was able to self-study and pass the GED and am now able to practice a few hours every week. I have also performed at local churches a few times.

Piano is the constant joy in my life. What could be better for my health than doing what I love?"