Fourth-grader expresses herself with music

Anais Martinez, 10, of Hurst, sings 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' while she plays during practice at Snow Heights Elementary School in North Richland Hills on Feb. 22. Because of a disorder, her eyes never formed. But the fact that she cannot read music has never held her back. Swaying back and forth in rhythm, she plays by ear -- from Christmas carols to Bach -- and on March 25 will give her first performance away from school for the NE Richland Lions Club during a luncheon in Haltom City.
Anais Martinez, 10, cannot see or read music. Instead, she plays by ear, and on March 25 will give her first public performance away from her school thanks to the local Lions Club, which has pledged to buy her a piano. "She'll listen two or three times and practice until she gets it right," said her teacher, Kay Boland. The Daily Sentinel (Nacogdoches, Texas)/Fort Worth Star-Telegram