Get the tissues ready!
Indiana-based music teacher, Jim Crismore, has dedicated his life to helping children find the musical instrument that really resonates with them.
“I help children figure out what instrument speaks to them the best,” the teacher said to WTHR news.
Loved by his pupils for his utter passion and knack for jokes, the music teacher has worked with many talented students, but nothing in his 30-year-long career could have prepared him for the reaction he received when a 7-year-old boy, who was born both deaf and blind, paid him a visit.
Watch the incredible moment Elias experiences music for the first time in the video player above!
Elias Valentine-Wilson, a student at McClelland Elementary in Indiana, America, was born without sight or hearing.
In a heart-warming special called Only in Indiana by WTHR, little Elias can be seen experiencing music for the very first time in a one-on-one session with Jim Crismore.
As Jim begins to play the cello, a large string instrument known for its deep sound, Elias reaches for the apparatus and lays his check against its wooden surface.
As WTHR reports, the seven-year-old couldn’t hear it, but he certainly could feel its resonance.
“Music can reach people in ways you cannot understand,” said Jim. Here, Elias puts his head up to the cello so he can feel the vibrations.
“See? Look at the smile. You are excited and look at the smile. This is as good as any music anywhere,” the music professor observes as he watches Elias run his fingers over the cellos strings.
A smile lights up his face as he begins to take control of the bow, changing the vibrations in the music.
“I think he definitely feels a difference because he is moving his hands and changing it. He’s laughing,” Jim noted.
The picture of happiness: Elias experiences the vibrations of music for the first time.
Elias’ mother was present for the heart-warming moment.
When asked her thoughts on her son’s happiness in his first music lesson, she was lost for words.
“I never thought I would see him do any of this,” she replied.
“I was so excited. I can’t explain it. I hadn’t seen him yet. That was the first time I had seen him.”
“I’m thinking my son is going to grow up to be… He might be blind and deaf, but he’s going to grow up to be the smartest, the best person in the world,” she quipped proudly.
Jim, unsurprisingly, was lost for words.
Naturally, Jim was absolutely touched that he was able to make Elias smile, and share his love for music.
When asked if he had ever experienced a reaction like this one, the music teacher’s emotion took over.
“Music can reach people in ways you cannot understand. I’ve just never seen anything like that,” he said through happy tears.
“Here is a child with no vision. Limited, if any, hearing who is experiencing the power of music. Now how cool is that,” he added.
It was a life-changing moment for the 7-year-old.
A benefactor was so touched after hearing the incredible outcome of Elias’ first music lesson, that they donated the cello to the school him to continue using.
Up until 18 months ago, Elias was barely able to communicate.
Since beginning at the McClelland Elementary School in Indianapolis, he has learnt over 60 sign language phrases.
“The students know him, love him and welcome him,” said McClelland Elementary School principal, Jennifer Nichols.
