As a 7yo, had a couple of lessons. Hated it. Wanted to do 'Elocution'!
Had a disappointed Mother as all females in family learnt & could play, especially Mum!
Mum soon changed her mind when I started doing Speech Exams, Trinity College & AMEB, & obtaining 'Honours' results! Went as far as Licentiate.
Still love it, & IMO, nothing better than listening to a person who speaks well!
Way too many slovenly speakers in this Country! Just listen to the 'average' person in a TV news interview; you can't understand a word they're saying, either because they don't open their mouths' or they have foreign accents which cannot be understood, as they haven't bothered learning to speak English!
Oops! Went off on a bit of a tangent there!