A 12-year-old boy from Ohio who learned who to play piano while battling cancer has become a child prodigy who plays on world-class stages.
Akron resident Daniel Colaner was given a 25 percent chance to live after he was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma, a condition that affects the nervous system, when he was an infant.
Doctors encouraged Daniel’s family incorporate piano playing to continue developing his brain, ABC News reported. Playing then became an essential part of Daniel’s routine while undergoing chemotherapy and other treatment.
“Chempotherapy is both a blessing and a curse, and in very small children at 6 months old they basically bring you to the point of death and hope that they kill all of the bad cells and leave enough of the good ones for you to recover,” Daniel’s mother, Marie Colaner, said.
From the hospital to Carnegie Hall, one 12-year-old boy beats cancer and becomes a prodigy. @TomLlamasABC reports. #TheComeback pic.twitter.com/iPL7CpCawT
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) November 27, 2017
Daniel gave his debut performance at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, performing “Fantaisie Impromptu” by Chopin. He described the experience as “absolutely incredible.”
“…the piano was magnificent, much better than my upright at home,” he said. “The acoustics were amazing. Everything just came together, beautifully.”
Daniel also played at the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Sunday as well.
“Being able to control this huge wall of sound that covers the entire cathedral was just incredible,” Daniel said.
Not only are his parents proud, but they said they feel “incredibly blessed” that he is “healthy, happy and able to do something he absolutely loves,” his mother said.
Daniel said he has “no idea” how he will top the experience. Playing at two of the world’s most prestigious venues in one day is quite the feat for anyone, let alone a kid.
“Going to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Carnegie Hall in one day, that’s a pretty great day for a 12-year-old,” he said.
(H/T: ABC News)