Blind Musician in Abilene Overcomes Obstacles To Encourage Audiences

Wen-Hui "Sherry" Dou has faced many challenges in life.

But playing the piano is not one of them.

"I like the feeling when I play piano," says Dou.

Do not be fooled by the sheet music, that is for her professor,  Mark Puckett.

Sherry is blind and has to memorize each score she plays.

She explains, "My mom helps me read the notes and the marks,; the score and then I memorize ."

Easy for her to say, but a lot goes into the technical routine.

"Not just the notes, but how long the notes last, the rythym, where there are rest," says Puckett.

By the time she goes into a lesson with Professor Puckett, she has the entire piece learned.

"I am amazed at what she can do. If I sit at the other piano and we're having a lesson and i simply start at a certain place in the piece that we're working on, she knows exactly, because she has perfect pitch, she knows exactly what part I'm talking about and she can start right there," Puckett adds.

Since her admission into the graduate program at Hardin-Simmons University, sherry has impressed many, including her dean.

"She has a very high skill level in piano and great endurance. Not only on learning the music, but how she goes about needing to learn the music, learn the notes, the rhythm, the dynamics."

But her passion for music goes beyond the keys on the piano.

Sherry says, "I'm really touched by my audience's encouragement."

And her talent has taken her all over the world.

Sherry lists, "Russia, Singapore, Jerusalem, Bethlehem."

Dedication and perseverance that transcends sight, are the keys to her success.