Maya had passed each test, but she could see that Marcus Sterling was not impressed. After each performance, he would nod curtly and announce the next piece without any positive comments. The other judges seemed more encouraging, but Marcus Sterling's opinion was the one that mattered most.
Now, it was Friday morning—the final day of the challenge. Maya sat in Marcus Sterling's office, waiting to receive her last piece. She was exhausted from four days of intense practice and pressure. Her fingers were sore and her mind felt foggy from lack of sleep.
Elena sat beside her, looking worried. Maya had been getting quieter and more withdrawn each day; the stress of the challenge was taking a toll on her physically and emotionally.
Marcus Sterling entered the office and sat behind his desk without greeting them. He looked at Maya with the same cold expression he had worn all week.
"Miss Chen," he said, "you have survived four days of this challenge. I must admit your technical abilities are adequate for someone who has been out of formal training for so long."
Maya felt a small spark of hope. Was Marcus Sterling finally going to say something positive?
"However," he continued, "I have yet to see any evidence that you possess the artistic maturity required for advanced study at this conservatory. Your performances have been technically correct, but emotionally shallow. You play the notes, but you do not communicate the deeper meaning of the music."
Maya felt like she had been slapped. After all her hard work, Marcus Sterling was telling her that her playing was shallow and meaningless.
Marcus Sterling picked up a piece of paper from his desk. "For your final performance, I am giving you a choice. You may choose any piece you wish to perform. Any composer, any style, any level of difficulty. This is your opportunity to show us who you really are as a musician."
Maya stared at him in surprise. All week he had chosen the pieces for her. Now, suddenly, he was letting her choose!
"There is one condition," Marcus Sterling added with a slight smile. "Since you are choosing the piece yourself, we expect a performance of the highest artistic and technical standards. This is your chance to prove that you belong here. Don't waste it."
Maya and Elena left the office in silence. They walked to Room 15, where Maya had spent so many hours practicing this week. Maya sat at the piano, but did not open any music.