Ventura County Star
June 28 2004

A life in harmony
Fourteen years after losing her sight, a woman rediscovers her love
of music

By Rosy Banks, rbanks@VenturaCountyStar.com
June 28, 2004

When Gayane Pogosyan lost her vision in an accident 14 years ago, she
thought she would never be able to play a musical instrument again.
Her viola and violin collected dust.

Then her daughter, Marina, asked her to accompany her in a duet and
recorded the music. For painstaking hours, Pogosyan memorized the
music note by note.

Two years ago, that dedication earned her a part in the Moorpark
Symphony Orchestra. The only blind member among its 75 musicians, the
violist has memorized 115 minutes of music in Beethoven’s Symphony
No. 9, along with two concertos, for a performance. It took almost
five months for her to prepare for a recent concert at the Oxnard
Performing Arts Center.

“All of my body, mind and soul celebrates after that hard work,” said
Pogosyan, who lives in Simi Valley. “We don’t know what we’re capable
of until we only have one way to do it.”

The Armenian-born violist attests to the capabilities that lie in
individuals, regardless of their handicap. She overcame expectations
and spends much of her spare time studying music and preparing for
concerts and performances around the community.

“Its not easy being a blind person in an orchestra because being able
to watch the conductor is a must,” said James J. Song, music director
for the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra. “Gayane is a unique individual.
She joins in when others are playing and has become well acclimated
to the group.”

In 2003, she received the outstanding musician award for her devotion
to the orchestra. But finding time to practice and memorize each
piece isn’t easy for a mother and grandmother of three who works full
time.

Studying music is only one of a long list of daily tasks for
Pogosyan. During the week, she works as a counselor for the state and
helps visually impaired clients cope with loss and use resources to
improve their lifestyles.

“I help them stand up on their feet so they can start a new life, as
I did,” she said.

Graduating summa cum laude from California Lutheran University,
Pogosyan adapted as the only blind student from 1995 to 2000.
Disability, she said, was not going to stop her from pursuing her
dreams.

“Sometimes I think that my blindness came as a blessing,” she said.
“At first it was difficult, but I got through the challenges and it
made my character stronger. Because of my blindness I went back to
school and found God.”

Music provided the fuel for the another passion she said comes
naturally to her — dancing. On Friday nights, Pogosyan swings the
night away with friends or her new dance partner, Dan Cutler.

“I never regard her as having any handicap,” Cutler said. “I forget
lots of times.”

Others do not recognize her blindness immediately, Pogosyan said.
When she encounters people fearful or ignorant of her condition, she
tries to educate them. She remembers many times when people would
start talking slowly and loudly.

“I lost my sight, not my mind,” she would tell them.

Pogosyan thrives on new challenges and her dedication is respected by
orchestra members, friends and for her, above all else, her
grandchildren. Loved ones and music are her top priorities.

On a recent day off, her home echoed with their voices. Her grandson,
8-year-old Jake Brock, has decided to take violin lessons and sought
the guidance of his grandmother as her two other grandchildren sat
petting her retired guide dog. When the children get frustrated or
discouraged, they can look to Pogosyan.

“Sometimes at school I tell people my grandma is blind and I tell
them all the things she does,” said Lauren Reiber, her 13-year-old
granddaughter. “They just say, ‘Wow.’ “