Truth be told, people tend to overlook a person’s abilities because more often than not, judgment is easily given to someone based on their physical appearance.
And in this cruel world that we live in today, some people might say a blind person is never going to be an effective educator.
A misjudgment that has been committed over and over again, especially to persons with disabilities.
Thankfully, this man is breaking the norm and his story will touch our hearts.
Matthew Weihmuller, a teacher in Tampa, serves as a living testament to the power of determination. He is inspiring his students not only to excel as musicians but also as individuals.
Despite being blind from birth, Weihmuller earned both his undergraduate degree in music (magna cum laude) and Master of Music at Florida State University (FSU). Alongside his teaching role, Weihmuller also tours with a band that showcases original eclectic music blending elements of funk, jazz, rock, and reggae.
Additionally, he performs locally with a jazz trio whenever his schedule allows. Matt is also a composer, utilizing specialized music technology for the blind. He frequently engages as a speaker, having been a guest lecturer at the Peabody Conservatory at John Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Weihmuller’s journey in jazz has been enriched through experiences with notable professionals, including Marcus Roberts, Bunky Greene, Jason Marsalis, Buster Cooper, Bill Kennedy, John Lamb, Chick Corea, Eric Alexander, David Hazeltine, Don Braden, Jim Snidero, and Walt Weiskopf.
Nothing is impossible when you truly love what you are doing.
While explaining his transition from performance to teaching, Weihmuller said, “All great performers teach, and it’s the only really way to pass along this craft, especially about jazz music. I found that teaching became more my calling than performing, but just as much so. I had to teach. I wanted to teach. I was going to teach… To be cliché, I wanted to make a difference, and that was really important to me.”
Innovatively, Weihmuller uses a unique teaching method to enhance communication among jazz musicians. He turns off the lights during rehearsals to remove the visual element and compel students to rely more on their other senses.
“Now, they have to listen. They can’t look at their instrument. Now, they have to feel their instrument with their fingers and hands, right? Now, we’ve got to listen to the music. We can’t read it,” said Weihmuller.
Weihmuller’s own blindness has fueled his mastery of other senses, particularly crucial in playing jazz and improvisation.
“You have to turn your disadvantage into an advantage. Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Thriving!
Reflecting on his early struggles with sheet music, Weihmuller recounted the challenge of obtaining braille music, which was not as accessible then as it is today. To overcome this hurdle, he had to create his own braille music, a process that continued through his college years.
Weihmuller aspires to instill in his students the values of perseverance and musical progression. He encourages them to embrace challenges, “I do hope that when they leave my classroom, they’re better musicians but leave better people.”
His ultimate goal is to inspire others facing challenges and disabilities.
“It’s everything for me, as an educator, to hear someone say that you changed their life. I hope that I can inspire others who are dealing with their situations, disabilities, barriers, and challenges in the same way that I have,” said the inspiring teacher.
Learn more about Weihmuller by watching the video below.
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