Young hearing impaired musician wins 'Yes I can!' award 

 

Teen Nikita Austin plays piano, flute and steel pan. What’s remarkable is that Nikita, 14, is deaf. She doesn’t hear the music with her ears, she hears it through vibration. Nikita takes music lessons at the Regent Park School of Music, an inner city program that provides a musical education for disadvantaged young people and those who live in challenging circumstances.

Nikita was given an award as an exceptional young person who inspires others with her determination.
She told a reporter that when she was younger, other kids used to laugh at her. She has “found” herself through her music. She finds fulfilment in her music.

Her mom, Maria, urges her always to dream big and not to let anything stand in her way. So even though Nikita has only 25% hearing in one ear and 2.5% in the other — and her hearing is deteriorating — she doesn’t let that hold her back. Nikita wears hearing aids in both ears. But she plays more musical instruments than most people with perfect hearing.

The “Yes I Can!” awards honor students with disabilities who excel and encourage youngsters to seek their highest potential. That’s exactly what Nikita has done. 

The award is meant to increase public awareness that people with different abilities can still aspire to be accomplished in their chosen field.
Her courage and tenacity in overcoming deafness to produce beautiful music is an inspiration to all of us.
 

 

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