A diagnosis of arthritis in the thumb is troubling for anyone, but when you're a concert pianist whose passion and livelihood rely on the use of your hand, the stakes are even greater. Never playing the piano again was not an option for Lisa Emenheiser. Music has been her life since childhood. She researched and found Dr. Michael Kessler, Chief of Hand Surgery, MedStar Orthopaedic Institute. With the help of surgery and hand therapy, Lisa was back to making music just two months after surgery. To learn more about Dr. Kessler, visit MedStarOrthopaedicInstitute.org

Meet NSO keyboardist Lisa Emenheiser, hear about the piano's role onstage and behind the scenes, enjoy her #NSOatHome performance of Rachmaninoff's "Symphonic Dances," and sample a quick taste of her new affinity for video games. 🎮 Help Inspire Others: The Kennedy Center building may be temporarily closed, but its arts and education programming is still alive! Your gift today will provide vital support for the arts during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consider donating today at https://www.kennedy-center.org/Support/Help/. #Piano #Rachmaninoff Subscribe to The Kennedy Center! http://bit.ly/2gNFrtb

Piano solo, Lisa Emenheiser, National Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Designate Gianandrea Noseda, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

Lisa hears her own recording of Respighi's "Prelude on a Gregorian Melody" for the first time in action at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Tyson's Corner, VA.

On stage at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Lisa demonstrates brushing the inside strings of the piano, along with colleague Eric Schnobrick and conductor Emil de Cou. Used for a special effect!

Enjoy this live performance of Lisa Emenheiser with NSO violinist Joel Fuller performing Gershwin's "It Ain't Necessarily So".

Lisa rehearses with pianist Audrey Andrist in preparation for a concert at Garth Newell Music Center.

For a blast from the past, watch this short 3 minute clip of Lisa being interviewed by Garrick Utley! This was part of a three part series, "Exploring your Brain". It was aired on national television in 1998.

Lisa performs two short excerpts from Rachminanoff's two piano version of this beautiful work. You will notice she is playing both the second and primo parts!

Lisa has fun with this excerpt from "Rite of Spring". She pre-recorded the Secondo part on a Spirio-R piano, then played along with the Primo part..

Hi everyone, Hope this beautiful nocturne brings comfort to you during this time of separation from friends and family. Stay healthy and safe!