Close Ad

This Six-Year-Old Blind Piano Prodigy Taught Himself to Play "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Other Classic Covers by Ear
Avett Ray piano
Everyday Heroes

This Six-Year-Old Blind Piano Prodigy Taught Himself to Play "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Other Classic Covers by Ear

When you hear the story of a blind little boy, it may seem like a tragic tale about someone struggling to keep up with other kids their age. That’s not the case for Avett Ray Maness, though. In fact, this six-year-old boy is showing he’s leaps and bounds beyond his peers.

The young piano prodigy from Dayton, Ohio, who was born with optic nerve fibroplasia, is completely blind in one eye and has very limited sight in the other. These limitations have not held Avett Ray back, however. He has even taught himself to play piano, and did so by ear!


"The moment he could pull himself to reach the piano, he was playing the melody to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,'" Avett Ray's mother, Sara Moore, told CBS News.

This began when Avett Ray was less than a year old, though he now has a piano teacher to help him hone his craft and learn more advanced techniques.

"Music is in his body," Moore said. "He's really practicing on performing now. Since his talent is so amazing, people are asking him to perform."

Avett Ray is now taking his show on the road, so to speak, performing at amazing events like a Ronald McDonald House fundraiser in April. He recently performed at Centerville, Ohio schools, and 900 people came to see him, according to his very proud mom.

Avett Ray is very proactive and ambitious about spreading his music.

In fact, he’s asked his mom to send his videos to Adele to help get his music out there. There’s even a super sweet video of the boy asking his mom to text Adele.

Some of Avett Ray’s favorite songs to perform are classic rock tracks by Queen and The Turtles, and he hopes to use his tremendous talents to teach others to be accepting and understanding of people with special needs. Avett Ray’s mom even wrote a book called Cotton Candy Clouds to teach people how to show support for the visually impared.

"He's the character in the book," Moore said. "Basically, he couldn't see the clouds in the sky, so I wrote this book so he could see them." The book serves as "a chance to talk about diversity and how everybody's made special and we're all born with our own gifts," Moore explained. "I teach people how to engage with blind and visually impaired people."

Avett Ray is an old soul, according to Moore, and he's using that soul for something so wonderful and beautiful. We can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

Hot Stories

Leonardo DiCaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go”
Leo Dicaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go” …

Forced to feel ashamed for her weight and appearance, Kate Winslet struggled with her body image for years. The media loved to tease her for being “the fat girl,” but there was ONE PERSON who saw the real her. What did Leo see in Kate? And what important message does Kate have for young women everywhere?


Keep ReadingShow less
Videos
Woman at a restaurant's window and two teen employees.

Teens Applauded For the Way They Handled This Angry Customer

Instagram/ @kekessnowballs

Working in customer service can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with rude and demanding clients. That’s particularly true for some teens, who work these jobs for part-time money and are often bullied by adults. Perhaps that’s why people are applauding these teen girls for the way they expertly handled an over-the-top customer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Elderly woman selling baking goods outside and an elderly woman with glasses.

Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral

FOX13 News

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.

The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.

She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News