Blind Pianist Reveals Inner Vision

WINSTED — If you think learning to simultaneously sing and play the piano is a tough chore, try doing it with your eyes closed. That will give you an idea of just one challenge faced by New Hartford resident Jenny Kate Lyon, a blind student at Northwestern Connecticut College (NCCC) who will give her first-ever concert at the college next Friday, Oct. 19.

In an interview Tuesday, Lyon, 20, said she is excited to perform her debut concert of original songs from her first CD, "Rainbow of Life." The recording features tunes she has written during the course of the last several years, expressing emotional triumphs and pitfalls experienced along the way.

"I was born with perfect pitch," Lyon said playfully during a sound check at NCCC’s Founders Hall Auditorium. As she eased into her seat behind her keyboard, she smiled and launched into several of her songs, which drift from upbeat life affirmations to mournful reminiscences of past relationships. "It’s a whole mix of genres," she said, acknowledging pop, jazz and Latin components, with a dose of Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan dancing through the piano lines. Listeners might also hear influences from the likes of Alanis Morissette, Dido and Karen Carpenter.

Describing her music as being intentionally inspirational, Lyon said she creates songs to share her inner world with others. "We all deserve to appreciate ourselves and we’re all more beautiful than we believe we are," she said. "Self-acceptance is universal, isn’t it?" Sharing vulnerability and being honest in describing emotions are important to this young musician, who has prevailed in the face of many obstacles.

Born prematurely to Korean parents, Lyon was placed for adoption in infancy and was an exceptionally fragile baby, weighing just 10 pounds on her first birthday. She overcame numerous medical challenges, learning to walk at age 3 and picking up Braille in the first grade. She has since learned how to act, tap dance and even take archery lessons through the use of a honing device. She gives poetry recitals and inspirational talks to large audiences and intends to earn a master’s degree in social work.

Lyon said the music she writes begins as sounds in her mind and that she does not like to transcribe songs to paper because the process interferes with her creativity. She has developed an exceptional memory, which allows her to jump right into live performances and recitals.

"A lot of people have said that I have a mind’s eye," she said. "If there’s a song I really like, I’ll keep it in my head. It’s all up there."

While she does not experience colors as do people with traditional sight, Lyon translates feelings of temperature and emotion into colors, resulting in her "Rainbow of Life."

"My songwriting really isn’t that straightforward," she said. "Whatever happens, I just follow it. I play to express how I feel, not to show off all the nice stuff I can do on the piano."

Despite having appeared in newspapers and receiving awards and national recognition for her poetry and volunteer work, Lyon said she isn’t looking for stardom. "I do not want to be famous," she said. "I’ve watched what the tabloids do and I don’t want to be a part of that."

More important, Lyon said, is sharing her "inner vision" with people, which includes acknowledging the good parts of life with the difficult parts. "There is more to be done, but I’ve realized through this album that the painful stuff is part of the rainbow," she said. "I’m okay with that now."

Jenny Kate Lyon will perform Friday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m., in the Founders Hall Auditorium at NCCC. Admission is free. "Rainbow of Life" will be available for purchase, with proceeds going toward Lyon’s scholarship fund. A reception and 21st birthday celebration follow the performance. Call 860-738-6300 for more information.