No Limits for Woodbury High School Singer

Musicians often develop a love of their art through years of practice and study.

For student Kelby Carlson, he can point to a single piece of music that solidified his passion for singing. It was Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring."

"It's the craziest piece of music you will ever hear," he said. "It's got expression that really makes you feel. After that, there was no going back."

Carlson, 17, is blind, and can't read music in the traditional way. He learns everything by ear.

"His physical limitation certainly doesn't limit his musicianship or involvement," said Daryl Timmer, who teaches choir at Woodbury High School.

While Timmer said he's had students who were going blind in his classes, Carlson is the only student who has been completely sightless.

"I feel that I'm a better teacher having him in class," Timmer said, adding that he's more detailed with his instruction and finds creative ways to teach.

Still, he said there has never been a time when the class felt certain lessons were different because of Carlson's disability.

Carlson has perfect pitch, meaning he can identify notes without actually hearing them.

"My hearing is not innately better, but I do use it more," he said. "Blind people may—MAY in capital letters—be able to learn better."

His hearing certainly is sharp. While being interviewed after he and his fellow choir members sang carols at , he couldn't help but sing along with a piano player at the Woodbury health center.

Carlson has performed since he was a youngster at Five Oaks Community Church, sung in the Minnesota Music Teachers Young Artists Competition (he won), is in All-State Choir and also participates with the American Choral Directors Association National Men's Honor Choir.

"Singing has just always been a part of my life," Carlson said. "If that could be my career, that would be my dream. I don't want to be a rock star—I just want to sing."

The Woodbury senior, who will soon turn 18, takes private voice lessons and sings at Woodbury coffee shops. He enjoys classical music, jazz, folk, and modern bands that "do a lots of weird things."

He recalled the feeling of seeing live performances as a child and how that influenced his decision to pursue singing.

"I might be seeing them through rose-colored glasses, and I don't know how good they really were anymore—but it was magic," he said.

Carlson hasn't decided on a college yet, but hopes to attend Vanderbilt University, majoring in vocal performance. His backup plan is law. Does he see himself as a professional singer?

"That could happen," Carlson said. "Even if it doesn't, I'd still pursue it as a passion."

It isn't the attention of being on stage that drives him, he said, it's connecting with the music.

"I can lose myself, and there's no other experience that does that for me," he said. "The capacity for reflection and emotion and portrayal of reality—making a statement that transcends words and feelings."

Carlson was a hit in Woodbury High School's recent production of Little Shop of Horrors. He played the menacing plant, Audrey II. Despite his slight stature, parents and community leaders said he carried the big voice well. Carlson said he was continually tweaking the voice during each performance.

"How can I make this character come alive—be more real?" he said.

In his spare time—and there's not much of it—Carlson said he practices music, hangs out with friends, enjoys role-playing games, "and normal high school student things."

Carlson said he and his friends often discuss music in depth, asking if one can objectively say what good music is and what defines the art. No matter the topic, his love of singing shines through.

"The sound of the human voice singing in concert with each other really resonates with me," he said. "There's nothing like being on stage and putting all you have into a song. … The reciprocation of the audience is like nothing else."