A Grand Piano, A Grand Comeback: David's Encore at Cedarhurst

When David Arnold walks into the common room at Cedarhurst of West Plains, there’s one thing that always catches his eye—a gleaming black grand piano.

It’s not the wooden Steinway he remembers from his childhood in Glendale, California, but the sight of it sparked something unexpected: the desire to sit down and play again, more than six decades after his fingers last touched the keys.

David’s earliest memories of music go back to the family’s living room, where that majestic Steinway stood as both a piece of furniture and a piece of history. “My parents wanted me to learn how to play,” David recalls. “I enjoyed it. The piano was large, wooden, very majestic. I always enjoyed looking at it.” As a teenager, his talent earned him the prestigious Award of Excellence from the Hollywood Bowl—an honor given to only one person each year.

Growing up as an only child, David’s father worked as a Railway Mail Clerk, riding trains from California to Arizona, sorting letters as the desert rolled past. At home, the family loved listening to music, often tuning in to “Cousin Minnie Pearl,” while David also developed a taste for classical pieces.

After high school, David’s life took him in many directions. He attended the University of Southern California, eventually earning a master’s degree in business administration, and worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. In the engineering department, he was taught each job, and it was there he was encouraged to earn his pilot’s license. Flying small-engine planes became both a skill and a joy.

David’s life also included an entrepreneurial chapter. After moving to New Hampshire with his wife, Bambi, they purchased “The Manor on Golden Pond,” a property on Swan Lake made famous after the movie’s release. “We thought it would be a good place to open a hotel,” he says. Eventually, after retirement, they moved to Missouri to be closer to their daughter, Stacey. Their two sons, Eric and Scott, live in California and Utah.

For decades, music remained a quiet memory—until David moved to Cedarhurst and saw that black grand piano. “I had forgotten everything about playing,” he says. “I was a teenager when I last played. But seeing it made me want to relearn.”

Help came in the form of a dedicated volunteer, a piano teacher who plays for residents monthly and returns every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. to give David lessons. “It’s fun,” David says. “I look forward to practicing every day. It brings back childhood memories.”

His progress culminated in a milestone moment on August 5th, when he performed in a Cedarhurst recital. “The community got me a brand-new outfit and shoes, ordered red roses, and even had a chocolate fountain and wine,” he recalls. “They made programs. It was memorable.” His chosen piece? Elton John’s “Piano Man,” a fitting selection for a comeback story.

Watch the video below to see David playing piano:

David says this journey has taught him that it’s never too late to learn something new. “After so many years passing, I can still learn. I like a challenge,” he says. His advice to others? “Why not? Challenge yourself! Just try!”

Today, David sees music as more than just notes on a page:

“Learning to play again gives me something to look forward to each day. I want to always improve myself. If that grand piano hadn’t been there waiting on me, I would have never thought to do it. Thanks to Cedarhurst.”

David’s encore is a reminder that passions can wait patiently for our return —and that sometimes, all it takes is the right moment, the right instrument, and the courage to begin again.

This story will appear in the Fall 2025 issue of Flourish^® magazine.

About the Author

Ryan Davis is the Corporate Communications Manager at Cedarhurst Senior Living and the writer behind every story in Flourish^® magazine. He holds a Communications degree from Indiana University and brings 19 years of experience to his role, which he began in January 2024. Ryan is passionate about storytelling, especially sharing the meaningful lives of Cedarhurst residents, families, and staff. He hopes each published story becomes a treasured legacy for loved ones.