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Winston-Salem Journal | Deaf piano player, 12, gives her first recital
Crowds from the deaf community turned out for a piano recital that they couldn't hear, but one that they could still appreciate.
Kids Make Music held the holiday performance Thursday night at First United Methodist Church.
Deaf supporters watched the mouths of five vocalists and sat through the dancing fingers of 19 pianists. But they were cheering for one special musician.
Kirsten Daley, 12, was born profoundly deaf. Ushers syndrome will claim her sight before 20. Kirsten doesn't let those details hinder her now. She took up piano just months ago, after years of watching her siblings perform.
Thursday she had her first recital.
"People we casually know came here just to support Kirsten," said her mother, Andrea Daley. "She performed at the beginning so they could leave after her songs, but no one left. Everyone stayed the whole time."
Kirsten grew up in a musical family of eight.
Thursday night, she performed after her brother Konner and before some of her other siblings, Keira, Kody and Kyle.
"I was very nervous," Kirsten said, signing to her mom. "But I calmed down a bit. I just kept my eyes on my hands the whole time."
Kirsten looked to her family for support.
So they crowded into a pew with video cameras, ready to offer encouraging smiles.
Kirsten says she didn't need the added help. She stayed focused on the keys.
"I don't think anybody in the audience even realized she was deaf," said Alisha Crawley, the owner of Kids Make Music.
Kirsten doesn't study under Crawley, but her siblings do.
The relationship earned Kirsten a spot in the recital, even though Crawley hadn't heard her play.
Kirsten says she hopes to become an official student next year. Crawley said she's never worked with a deaf musician but is prepared for the challenge.
Crowds from the deaf community turned out for a piano recital that they couldn't hear, but one that they could still appreciate.
Kids Make Music held the holiday performance Thursday night at First United Methodist Church.
Deaf supporters watched the mouths of five vocalists and sat through the dancing fingers of 19 pianists. But they were cheering for one special musician.
Kirsten Daley, 12, was born profoundly deaf. Ushers syndrome will claim her sight before 20. Kirsten doesn't let those details hinder her now. She took up piano just months ago, after years of watching her siblings perform.
Thursday she had her first recital.
"People we casually know came here just to support Kirsten," said her mother, Andrea Daley. "She performed at the beginning so they could leave after her songs, but no one left. Everyone stayed the whole time."
Kirsten grew up in a musical family of eight.
Thursday night, she performed after her brother Konner and before some of her other siblings, Keira, Kody and Kyle.
"I was very nervous," Kirsten said, signing to her mom. "But I calmed down a bit. I just kept my eyes on my hands the whole time."
Kirsten looked to her family for support.
So they crowded into a pew with video cameras, ready to offer encouraging smiles.
Kirsten says she didn't need the added help. She stayed focused on the keys.
"I don't think anybody in the audience even realized she was deaf," said Alisha Crawley, the owner of Kids Make Music.
Kirsten doesn't study under Crawley, but her siblings do.
The relationship earned Kirsten a spot in the recital, even though Crawley hadn't heard her play.
Kirsten says she hopes to become an official student next year. Crawley said she's never worked with a deaf musician but is prepared for the challenge.
