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handicap, Evelyn pursued her dream and eventually made her way to the Royal

Academy of Music in London

Evelyn,s mother came to know about her daughter‟s deafness when at the age eight,
the latter was to give her performance on the4 piano in school but could not hear her
name being called. When her deafness was confirmed at the age of eleven, the
headmistress of her school suggested that she should be sent for deaf children. But

Evelyn was not the kind of girl who could be discouraged.

Once, when she was demotivated by the teachers from playing upon a xylophone, Ron
Forbes, a great percussionist, came to her rescue. He observed great potential in her
and guided her on how to sense music through different parts of her body without
listening through ears. Under his able guidance, Evelyn learnt how to develop
sensitivity to music through different parts of her body. Feet. She managed to sense

musical notes through her skin, her hair, her fingers and even her bare feet

Evelyn now dedicated herself to music and participated in a youth orchestra in United
Kingdom. Afterwards she moved from orchestra to solo performances. She got one of
the highest scores in the history of the Royal Academy of Music when she gave an
audition for it. At the age of seventeen, she moved to the Royal Academy for a three
year course and bagged the topmost awards during her career. With her unfaltering

determination, she became the most eminent and most demanded percussionist who
could play proficiently a large number of instruments. Not only did she speak
flawlessly, but she also managed to learn French and basic Japanese. In 1991, she
received the prestigious „Soloist of the Year Award‟ presented by the Royal
Philharmonic Society.

A person with a human attitude, Evelyn gave free concerts in prisons and hospitals.

With her efforts, she secured a significant place for percussion instruments in the
orchestra. In fact, Evelyn Glennie is a great inspiration for those who suffer from
physical disabilities.

key points

 Evelyn Glennie was 8, when first time her hearing disability was noticed by her
mother.
 At the age of 11, her disability was discovered at school.
 Wants to do career in Music, her teachers discouraged her.
 Fortunately she met Ron Forbes, the percussionist, who identified her potential &
supported in achieving her goal.
 He trained Evelyn to sense the music through different parts of our body.
 Suddenly she was excited to feel the vibrations in every part of her body.
 Evelyn followed him like an obedient student and in the meantime she had learnt
to open her body & mind to sounds and vibrations.
 After this, she never looked back.