Jennifer Mullis’ weekend recital marked more than a piano milestone.

On Saturday afternoon, a cheerful Jennifer Mullis stood outside Grace Episcopal Church greeting people coming to her Suzuki Book One piano recital.

A Book One recital is an achievement for any piano student, but for the Bainbridge Island 11-year-old and her parents it was a real celebration, because Mullis has Down Syndrome.

In attendance were doctors, nurses, therapists, neighbors, friends and fellow church-goers who have helped Jennifer over the years.

“If there was an official greeter for the island, she would be it,” said Varon Mullis. “I’m the proud father, often known as ‘Jennifer’s father.’”

His daughter began her piano lessons five years ago as part of her therapy, which started almost from birth.

The effects of Down Syndrome vary widely from person to person but may include some degree of mental retardation, low muscle tone – making for weaker hands – or difficulty with motor skills, short-term memory, or concentration.

Varon Mullis said he has seen Jennifer’s hands get stronger with her piano lessons, where now her pinky finger is pressing down on the keys instead of “chopping.”

“(Jennifer) is very determined,” said Peggy Swingle, her piano teacher. “Her mother is a very special person and works with her with incredible patience.”

Anne Mullis said she heard a Suzuki student concert when Jennifer was age 3, and decided she wanted her daughter to learn to play when she was old enough.

Although the three lessons a week were a big commitment, “I decided this was important enough to me to make this happen,” she said.

Jennifer says that she was not at all nervous for her recital.

“I like the pieces. They make me feel good,” she said. “I like the Allegro because I can dance to it.”

“She would rather perform in front of an audience than practice any day,” her mother said.

In piano, Jennifer learns pieces a little bit at a time and then puts them together, a strategy that also helps her in school, Anne says.

Varon Mullis recalls that in his mother’s generation, the learning ability of children with Down Syndrome was questioned.

His mother, who was a first-grade teacher, died in 1996 at 83, when Jennifer was just 4 years old. One of the last things she asked her son was, “Will she learn to read?”

He answered, “Yes, she will – and much more.”

Today, Varon says his daughter is “an incessant reader” and has an incredible memory for names, for which he fondly dubs her a “walking Rolodex.”

“There’s nothing wrong with her memory, except when it’s something she doesn’t want to do,” he said, “but that’s the case with everyone.”

For the Mullis family, Saturday’s recital was more than a piano milestone.

“We saw it as a ‘coming of age’ or grand happening,” Anne said.

“I was very pleased (with her recital),” Varon said. “She was concentrating on her performance (although) she has a bad cold today. She was really wound up for the concert.”

“I have no doubt Jennifer will continue to progress,” Swingle said. “She’s an inspiration to the other students.”

Jennifer dedicated her recital to her grandfather, Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Roy Winston Mullis Jr., who died two days before the performance.

But he was there in spirit, Anne says.

Just before the concert began, a bald eagle landed in a tree that was visible through the upper windows of the church.

Seeing the eagle, Anne says, the family thought, “Okay, we’re all here.”