Seated before a piano, Natalia Lee Jia En does not need sheet music to produce captivating melodies. Instead, the visually impaired teenager draws entirely on memory, years of practice and the finely tuned sense of touch she has developed since childhood.
Having started piano lessons at the age of five, every note she mastered became another step towards proving that physical limitations need not stand in the way of pursuing one's dreams.
For the 14-year-old, the piano is not just a musical instrument but a medium for building her self-confidence.
After nearly a decade of learning music, the Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Setapak student admitted that the journey has not been without challenges as she must rely entirely on memory when performing a piece.
"The biggest challenge for me is memorising complex musical works, especially when I have to jump from one part of the keyboard to another. I need to judge precisely where my fingers should land," she told asid after the Suaramu, Syairku concert at Auditorium Seri Angkasa at Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Her dedication and perseverance eventually earned her a place at the Suaramu, Syairku concert, where she represented her school with a medley arranged together with her teacher Christine Chin, after just two weeks of intensive rehearsals.
"I would not have achieved this without the support of my parents and teachers, who have always encouraged me. Never give up on your dreams. Always stay positive and keep working towards what you want to achieve," she said.
The concert also featured the Setapak Ukulele Crew from Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Setapak, comprising five visually impaired performers aged between 13 and 20, who entertained the audience with a medley of three songs.
For 20-year-old Mohammad Azeem Ikhwan Mahadi, a member of the group, his musical journey began after teachers and classmates encouraged him to join music lessons and learn to play the ukulele.
"At first, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it because I had never played an instrument before. But as I learned step by step, I gradually began to enjoy it and eventually developed a passion for it," he said.
Despite the limited availability of learning materials tailored for people with visual impairments, Mohammad Azeem believes the challenge will not stop him from pursuing a career in music.
"Music is more than just a hobby. It can become a source of income for me through performances or part-time work to support my studies and daily living.
"To everyone, especially my fellow visually impaired friends and persons with disabilities who want to learn music, never stop learning because anyone can succeed in this field," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) deputy president Datin Fauziah Mohd Ramly said providing opportunities for visually impaired individuals to showcase their talents is essential in helping them gain wider public recognition.
She said many people within the visually impaired community possess remarkable talent but have yet to be given the opportunity to shine.
"There are many more with extraordinary talent who remain unknown to the public. What they need is an opportunity," she said.
The Suaramu, Syairku concert, jointly organised with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), was among the programmes held to commemorate MAB's 75th anniversary. – Bernama
