Artist description 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."

Music Style New Age

Similar Artists John Tesh, Yani, Raul Di Blacio

Instruments Piano

Albums Angelic Flight

Press Reviews Young piano artist has passion for composing, performing DAN WEISMAN Staff Writer Not surprisingly Brittney Valle likes the other Britney, Spears that is. But the High School freshman has also developed a passion for a techno-pop group from Italy, Eiffel 65, a folk-rock band from Argentina, Pim Pinela, and even John Tesh. In fact, the blind 14-year-old who began piano at age 3 has become a musical whiz kid of sorts. Sheıs composed more than 50 songs, two compact discs of her piano compositions have been sold worldwide and she produces a steady stream of new musical ideas and inspirations. "Actually, I sold a CD to someone from Hong Kong right around Christmas," said Valle, sitting by her keyboard at her family's northwest Escondido home. "I was pretty excited," the enthusiastic girl with long brown hair continued. "That was my first Christmas present. The CDs are a fund-raiser for a baby grand piano." Valle said music is a major part of her life and future dreams. She practices about two hours a day and has several friends that also have musical tastes and talents. She voraciously listens to an eclectic mix of music and has the ability to play a lot of songs by ear. Future plans include attending a college with a strong musical program and then, who knows. But Valle said she always plans on keeping music in her life. "I like everything about music," Valle said. ³I like the freedom of being able to play the piano. I have a strong passion for it. I used to play six hours a day in junior high but now Iım so busy with tests and stuff I play two hours. I listen to music when I study though and just play anything." Composition comes naturally, Valle said, "I simply get on the piano and play little melodies. It doesnıt take that much time. I started out studying classical music but now I play more pop." The two compact discs were produced with the help of music teacher Howard Anton Duncan, an instructor Valle also calls a friend. She said she responded well to his positive, patient attitude after having some less pleasant times with teachers with more aggressive teaching techniques. Duncan produced the first CD featuring about a dozen Valle originals followed by a second effort done at Studio West, a professional recording studio in Poway. The CDs as well as links to Valle's home page are available at www.cdbaby.com/brittneyvalle. Noting the more than 50 songs that Valle has composed, Duncan added: "I definitely see her as performing nationwide someday. She has an expressive touch. ... She's quite the performer. She has a great attitude and is very dedicated to the piano." Valle has performed solo at since-closed Mikeyıs Coffeehouse in Poway as well as at recitals and talent shows. She's plied her chords at weddings, playing New Age and traditional piano musings during hors doeuvres ³I perform just so I can show my talent," Valle said. ³I love to perform." Speaking of love, Christina Valle, Brittney's mom, said she also loves her music. ³She just amazes me all the time. I don't know how she comes up with what she does. When we moved here from Rancho Cucamonga she was two grade levels behind in school. But now she has caught up, gets straight As and loves what she does,² said Christina Valle. Brittney smiled at that. ³I enjoy composing music,² she said. "I just sit down and a song comes to me. I keep playing it over and over, and 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."

Location Escondido, CA - USA

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