0 CommentsThe power of music
Soothed by the sounds of his classical guitar, St. Thomas High School senior Kyle Comer has overcome selective mutism while learning to play for the enjoyment of audiences and himself.
What started as an endeavor to end a seemingly perpetual psychological problem soon became my ultimate passion. At the age of 3, I had the unfortunate experience of facing death from an illness and becoming severely dehydrated, and was rushed to the hospital in the nick of time. Experiencing this trauma heavily contributed to my developing a psychological condition known as selective mutism. In short, I would only talk to certain people. I spoke to my immediate family members and some friends, while avoiding contact with others. I became “mute” to their conversations. Because I never talked during elementary school, I developed only a few friendships and had my friends talk for me. Fortunately, I attended School of the Woods, a special Montessori school. Otherwise, I probably would not have made it at another school.
While most means of treatment for muteness failed, my mother enrolled me in classical guitar classes when I was 9. She thought that playing guitar would help me become more social. Little did she know that it would transform into a lifelong passion. I was always inspired when my brother played his guitar at family gatherings. I had the desire to play myself but never imagined where it would lead me. At the end of the school day, I came home, practiced and listened to classical guitar music. Before long, I was fascinated by it.
Being a classical guitarist has ended my social phobia, and it is now enjoyable for me to play for others. I have performed in concerts in various venues around Texas and am blessed with the opportunity of taking private lessons with world-renowned classical guitarists such as Pepe Romero, Christopher Parkening, Adam Holzman and Isaac Bustos. I currently study with Isaac and will continue to do so when I move on to college in 2011 while pursuing an engineering or pre-med degree.
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