Piano Solos

Collection Contents

#		Title	Length
1		August Reflections	3:33	Play
2		Brittney's World	2:27	Play
3		Celebration	2:51	Play
4		Dance	2:26	Play
5		Graduation	2:51	Play
6		La Cancion De Mi Corazon	3:01	Play
7		Pleasant Memories	2:43	Play
8		Summer of 99	3:19	Play
9		Waltz in D	3:35	Play
10		Waterfall Legacy	3:23	Play
11		Wishing	2:56	Play

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Description	Amount
Bitmunk Marketplace Service	USD $0.98
CD Baby Artist Royalty	USD $5.97
CD Baby 9% Digital Distribution Cost	USD $0.54
Bitmunk Download Service	USD $0.44
Bitmunk MicroPayment Service	USD $0.01
Total	USD $7.92

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Description

By Cheryl Walker COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER

Brittney Valle has shown that persistence pays off.

After early frustrations with piano teachers, this 14-year-old, has composed 50 songs & recorded two classical CD's. That would be amazing enough, but add the fact that Brittney is blind, and her triumph is even more remarkable.

"I definitely see her as performing nationwide someday," said her music teacher Howard Anton Duncan. "She has an expressive touch."

Brittney was born blind and started playing the piano when she was 3. "I didn't like the teacher," she said. "She was very strict and very hard. If I made a mistake, she would grab my hands too hard."

Because of the experience, Brittney stopped playing for three years. When she tried again, she was unhappy with the instructor stifling her creativity. "Brittney has a real talent for composing her own music, and (the teacher) wouldn't let her do that," said Brittney's mother, Christina Valle.

Three years ago, Brittney met pianist Howard Anton Duncan, and their relationship was harmonious from the start. "He is just so awesome," Brittney said. "We clicked right away, and we're best friends."

Duncan, who teaches piano to 50 students ranging in age from 7 to 80, enjoys having Brittney as a student. "It's definitely a mutual admiration society," he said. "She's quite the performer. She has a great attitude and is very dedicated to the piano."

Brittney plays by ear. She studied Braille music at the Southern California Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, but found it easier to learn by listening. "I didn't like it," said Brittney. "I like the way Howard teaches me. He taught me chords. I picked this up pretty fast. He tells me what chords to play, and I play them. He tapes my lessons for me."

Brittney loves classical music and also plays in a style Duncan described as similar to new age. "I enjoy composing music," she said. "I just sit down and a song comes to me, and I keep playing it over and over, and I change a few things each time until I get it exactly the way I want it. The hardest thing is to find a name for the song."

"Brittney conveys a lot of feelings through her music," said Duncan. "She loves to entertain and perform for people and finds herself playing at recitals, talent shows, fund-raisers and coffeehouses," said Duncan. According to Brittney's mother, her daughter has always loved music.

"She's been around music since the day she was born," Valle said. "When she was an infant, we'd put head phones on her and play Mozart. Maybe that's why she likes it so much."

There are days when Brittney practices as long as six hours. When she comes home from school, she does her homework first so she can get right to the piano.

"I have so much passion," said Brittney. "I can just sit there and keep playing, and each time I play, that passion is renewed. I would never want to teach piano, but I can see myself as the next Mozart."


FYI- 100% OF THE PROCEEDS ON THE SALE OF THIS CD GOES TOWARD THE PURCHACE OF A BABY GRAND PIANO.