Say it like a maestro: (Lood-vig van Bay-toh-vuhn) 

Everyone knows Beethoven—one of the most famous composers to have ever lived! But did you know that he couldn’t hear? 

When Beethoven turned 30, his hearing got progressively worse, until he couldn’t hear at all. For a musician, this was heartbreaking! He even tried to keep it a secret for fear of losing his job. But Beethoven didn’t let deafness stop him. 

Instead, he found new ways to keep composing. He used a metal rod to feel the vibrations of the piano. He also perfected the skill of audiation—which meant he could hear music in his head just by reading notes on a page!  

Beethoven composed some of his most famous pieces when he started to go deaf, including Moonlight Sonata, Ode to Joy, and Symphony No.5, with its powerful four-note opening (Da-da-da-DUM)!

Say it like a maestro: (Muh-ree-uh Thuh-ree-zee-uh von Pah-ruh-dees) 

Von Paradis lost her sight when she was only three years old, but her incredible musical talent was clear from the start. She continued to learn from the best music teachers, becoming an extraordinary musician, composer and singer.

Von Paradis toured all across Europe, performing for huge crowds. Her music was so enthralling that people started calling her the ‘Blind Enchantress’. She even became friends with the famous composer Mozart, who is believed to have written a concerto for her!

Von Paradis didn’t just play music—she wanted to help others too.  She helped develop the music curriculum of the first school for the blind. Later, she opened her own music school specially for blind children, so they could learn music too!

Theresia von Paradis proved that being blind wasn’t an obstacle to becoming a great musician. Her blindness never stopped her from sharing her love for music with the world!