Homeless Teen Proves Where There’s a Piano, There’s a Way
When James Matthews had nothing else, he had his piano. Now, he also has Carnegie Hall.
The 24-year-old pianist at the University of West Florida will be making his debut at the famed music venue this month after growing up in poverty, even living homeless at one point. Matthews is a music performance major on a scholarship, and was chosen to perform after winning honorable mention in the 2014 American International piano and strings competition.
Matthews will perform on April 20th, and says he's still coming to terms with all that's transpired.
"I am extremely nervous," Matthews tells the Good News Blog. "I can't believe that I am going to be there because I just entered the contest on a leap of faith."
Matthews was raised in Lakeland, and has been playing the piano since the age of 3. He spends up to 10 hours a day practicing, and describes the instrument as a stronghold throughout the difficult times in his life.
Determined to go to college, the young prodigy used his musical talents to pave his own path, a better path than he might have been allotted. Even when it became rocky, Matthews found a way to play.
"After I graduated high school, I had a musical scholarship to a private school in my town, and I didn't want to give it up," he explains. "My family was going through a hard time, and I just didn't have the financial support or means to have anywhere to live. I knew no matter what I wanted to finish school. I was living in Lakeland and sleeping wherever I could, and I'm so thankful I had piano because it was my escape. I could always practice. When it was time to sleep, that was the only difficult part."
Matthews began his collegiate study at Florida Southern College, and discovered that the music studio on campus was open 24 hours. This, he thought, was a loophole that could be utilized.
"Eventually, I got smart and started sleeping in the music building because we had access to it 24 hours," he adds. "I would sleep under bridges and in the woods, and then I realized I had a key to the room."
Soon, a teacher caught Matthews in his substitute home, and decided to help the boy out of his situation. The professor led Matthews to a different school where he could live in a dorm, and put his energy toward the love of his life. The musician has more than capitalized on the opportunity.
In just a few weeks, everything Matthews has worked for will finally have its time when he brings his talents to a grander stage.
He comments, "It's a dream come true."
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