Lillian Solbue of Alcester, South Dakota is 94 years old, but you'd swear she's a lot younger than that. She's got more energy than many people half her age, and she plays a pretty mean piano, too. When it comes to tickling the ivories it just comes natural to Lillian. She's only had three lessons. And that was 82 years ago.
"I can't count the years, but I started when I was 12 and then I played for quite a while and then after I got married, I didn't have any piano," said Solbue.
So, Lillian's playing days came to an early end. But then when she retired from her job 27 years ago, Lillian picked up where she left off, without missing a beat. And people have been tapping their toes ever since, enjoying the tunes with Lillian's own personal flair.
"Well, that's what they tell me in church if I play the prelude, then they all say they feel like dancing down the aisle when they go out," she said.
She plays many venues, but one of Lillian's regular gigs is at the Morningside Care Center in Alcester. She plays there once a month and at age 94, she's actually older than the majority of the people who live there.
Claire Antonson, Activities Director at the care center said, "They like to sing. It's all songs that they've heard before, so they can sing along. They tap their toes and just have a great time."
What's her key to staying young?
"Keep active," said Lillian. "Ya gotta keep active, otherwise you're done."
She doesn't read music. She doesn't even know what notes she's playing.
"Sharps and flats and the left-hand notes, that don't mean a thing to me. I just know which keys to hit," she said.
But she's a recorded artist now, after cutting her own 44-song CD at a Sioux Falls studio.
Lillian said, "I enjoy playing for other people. As long as they enjoy it, well then I enjoy playing for them."
And at age 94, Lillian is still hitting all the right notes.
Lillian also plays piano every month at care centers in Beresford, Hawarden and Hudson. She still lives at home, helps with Meals on Wheels and is president of the local seniors club. She also does all her house work and mows her own lawn.
