THE WELSH MUSICIANS ...WHO ARE DEAF
How music helped these two inspirational teenagers realise that they can do anything
THEY can’t hear the notes with the same crystal clear precision as their captivated audiences. But Megan Angharad Hunt and Poppy Clough play them in a way that leaves no clue to the struggle behind their evocative performances.
Despite being partially deaf the two Welsh teenage musicians recently took to the stage at Midlands arts venue mac Birmingham.
Flautist Megan, 17, from Penygroes, North Wales, who suffers moderate hearing loss, describes in powerful terms how music has made her realise her potential.
She said: “Playing music, and meeting other young people with hearing loss who play musical instruments has made me realise that deaf people can do anything. When I play, I forget about my hearing loss because it’s just me and my instrument, and the music takes me wherever I want it to take me.” Along with Poppy, who playss the clarinet, Megan was amongg a group of 21 other deaf youngg people from all over the UK who o won a weekend-long master- class with acclaimed deaf pro- fessionals from the arts indus- try. The group won Raising thee Bar, a competition developed by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) to drive expectations of what the 45,000 deaf children in the UK can achieve. Megan, who was born with hearing problems, began learning the flute in primary school. She said: “Whatever career I eventually follow, music will always be a central part of my life.” Poppy, 15, from Llantarnam, Torfaen, saw her hearing loss deteriorate and become profound. But around a year ago she had a cochlear implant, which has given her significant improvement over and above what she experienced with a hearing aid. Without the implant Poppy says she would be “completely deaf”. Her condition is caused by autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, type 1 – an inherited illness that attacks many of the body’s organs. She admits there have been times she has struggled to accept her deafness, feeling “frustrated and just sad often on the inside because of the daily things like listening to music”. She said: “It’s just another thing that’s helped me just get on with it because it’s something I can still do and appreciate. Since taking part in Raising the Bar, it made me think that just because I’m deaf doesn’t mean I can’t play music. Anything you can do, I can do, too, deaf or not.”
Raising the Bar was launched by deaf actress Sophie Stone, of Doctor Who fame, at the beginning of this year.
She said: “I was so impressed by the high standard of competition entries.
“Having attended RADA, I know how vital it is for deaf children and young people to be in an environment where they can build confidence, gain skills and make new friends. Deaf children are just as capable as everyone else; we just need to make sure they get the right support.”
Bryony Parkes, inclusive activities manager for the NDCS, said: “We were absolutely bowled over by the talent and enthusiasm of the deaf young people at the showcase.
“Raising the Bar is all about raising expectations to show that deaf children and young people can perform to the same standard as their hearing peers and should get the same chances to take part in activities. It was great to hear that so many of the deaf young people feel their confidence and aspirations have grown since taking part.”