A lunchtime concert is underway in the foyer of at a major Melbourne hospital.
The classical music is played by Yoshie Komatsu and draws a crowd of onlookers, both patients and medical staff.
"I normally come out at lunch and sit here quietly to enjoy the music, because it's calming, it's beautiful," says Cathy D’Angelo, a diagnostic imaging specialist. "It's almost like my own personal concert.”
But this is no ordinary concert and the pianist is no ordinary musician. Yoshie Komatsu works in food services, and until recently few knew of her former career as a concert pianist in her homeland, Japan.
Pianist Yoshie Komatsu at the keyboard. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
"I hoped that someday I could surprise my co-workers and colleagues. That's what I wanted."
That goal was realised just before Christmas last year, when stunned colleagues discovered a talented pianist in their midst.
"It was a big surprise because Yoshie's actually a very shy person," says Romela Felton, food services manager at Monash Medical Centre.
Monash Medical Centre food services manager Romela Felton. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
"So, we encouraged her to continue and we are happy to support whatever she wants to do."
Ms Komatsu has performed numerous classical concerts in her career, from Tokyo to New York.
"Playing my piano, that’s an exciting time because of how people react to me. It's makes me feel good when they get excited."
Ms Komatsu grew up in a small town 150km from Japan’s capital Tokyo, and started piano lessons as a young child.
Yoshie Komatsu grew up in Japan. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
Later, Ms Komatsu won a scholarship to study music at university in Japan, graduating in the late 1990s.
"I decided to become a pianist, so I bought myself grand piano and dreamed of becoming a professional musician."
However, a car accident in Japan left her badly injured.
"I fell down on the top of the car, on the bonnet and then fell down on the centre of the road."
"One gentleman who stopped was a doctor and he called the police and ambulance, then I was carried to the hospital.
"My back was injured, and I wore a corset and I could barely move for six months," she says.
At this time, Ms Komatsu turned to classical music as a source of comfort.
"Everyday was pain, so I listened to music to feel relaxed and calm down. I was always with my music."
After recovering, Ms Komatsu visited Australia with her family, and in 2006 decided to make Melbourne her home. But she could not afford the cost of transporting her beloved grand piano.
"Since I was a child always I was with a piano. Without a piano, something was missing in my life.
"I talked to the export company but sending one piano would cost $10,000. So it was no use."
Yoshie Komatsu works in food services in Melbourne. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
"When I saw it I was really excited. I went to touch it as soon as possible when nobody was around," she says.
"I opened the lid and touched the keys and the sound was really beautiful. And then I started practising on the piano, but I didn't want others to know."
Ms Komatsu now performs regular lunchtime concerts, with the blessing of Monash Health Chief Medical Officer Dr Anjali Dhulia.
"Hospital can be a really, really busy place, and can be really anxiety provoking for people who visit here and even for staff.
Yoshie Komatsu is proud to be playing for people again. Source: SBS / Scott Cardwell
Ms Komatsu is regaining confidence playing the grand piano, and dreams of one day performing again on stage.
"I want to make other people happy by playing perhaps a small concert," she says.
"Also, it seems an invisible power is floating from the piano or instrument and goes into the heart and provides healing. That is what I believe. "
