Three years ago, he lost the use of his right arm.

But Jeff Peller will play the piano at his first NIU recital Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music Building.

Peller, 27, is an NIU senior majoring in music education and has been playing the piano since second grade.

In the summer of 1986, Peller discovered he would need chemotherapy for large cell lymphoma, a type of cancer, he said. The drug used in the chemotherapy leaked out into the tissues in his arm, causing his entire right arm to become “numb and hard,” he said.

Peller continued to play the piano after his accident because of his love for music, he said. “There wasn’t anything else I felt this strong about.”

Although he no longer works with a physical therapist, he still tries to practice his own therapy, he said. His hand can only be used for a limited amount of time, but he continues to use his right hand to try to play the piano as therapy, he said.

The recital will consist of only left-handed music, written for one-handed piano players. It takes a lot of “jumping back and forth” to play, he said. When he plays, it involves “jumping all over the keyboard,” he said.

The recital is for pure entertainment, Peller said. “I’d like them (the audience) to become aware of the music and to enjoy the music.”

His father, who also was a musician, and listening to music have been the main musical influences in his life, he said.

Peller’s biggest influence within the past three years has been his professor, NIU music instructor Bill Koehler. Koehler said he has helped Peller find music for left-handed players, including music for his recital Saturday.

Koehler said he feels Peller has “done a remarkable job.” Peller’s reaction to his situation has “really impressed” him, he said.

“The fact that he has reacted to it (the accident), seeing it as a challenge, that’s been very, very remarkable,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure to work with him and an inspiration.”

The free recital will include pieces from Franz Liszt, Scriabin and Paul Steg, a former NIU faculty member, Peller said.