PIANIST PAUL GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
DROMORE lad Paul Russell, who in 2008 became the first Northern Ireland youngster with Apert's Syndrome to pass a London College of Music Piano Examination, has achieved another 'key' result.
Paul, from Beresford Green, was born with all of his fingers fused together, each having to be surgically separated in a series of operations for which he had to travel to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.
But despite that, Paul has beaten the odds to carry on his family's passion for music, achieving a merit with 83% in his 2008 Pre-Preparatory examination and now the proud recipient of another merit certificate after gaining 78% in a recent Step One LCM piano examination session.
The talented youngster's family are understandably proud of him; so too his piano teacher, Patricia Hamilton, whose Dromore School of Music and Performing Arts Paul joined in 2007.
An inspiration who constantly amazed her, said Patricia, Paul had taught her never to say never.
"I don't know how far Paul will progress through examinations as pieces become more technical and therefore more physically demanding," she said, "but I will continue to take Paul as far as he can manage.
"His determination is inspiring and I know I have learnt so much in the time I have been teaching him."
Patricia said that when Paul's mum, Jane, first approached her about teaching him piano, she didn't know what to expect.
"I thought that Paul, who has Apert's Syndrome, would find it extremely difficult," she said, "but I was determined to give him the opportunity to learn.
"During the first lessons I was probably guilty of treating Paul very differently from the other children I teach; I didn't expect him to understand the basic fundamentals of music just as easily as children with no disabilities would.
"After getting to know Paul, however, he proved me wrong, so I decided to teach him in exactly the same way as any other beginner just to see how he would cope."
And cope he did.
Said Patricia, "Paul's understanding of musical notation and rhythms is very good; he recognises and finds notes on the piano very quickly.
"He plays many tunes and we were delighted that he was the first child with Apert's Syndrome in Northern Ireland to pass a London College of Music Piano Examination.
"This amazing boy keeps going from strength to strength and has given everyone another reason to celebrate after doing so well in this latest exam. Well done Paul!"
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Weather for Dromore
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
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