Blind band member's unique senses power Teays Valley's Golden Sound

ASHVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- There's nothing quite like the sounds of the marching band on Friday nights in the fall. At Teays Valley High School, their army of musicians aims to bring smiles with their halftime performance. And one member has every reason to smile.

MaKenzie Love is redefining the term "blind ambition." The Vikings senior sees the world differently than most but she's also got an ear for music that makes her an important part of the school's marching band.

"I love it because I'm a part of something bigger than myself," Love said.

You can spot Love's smile from across the parking lot at band practice. But in reality, she can't see anything.

Watch: Blind band member's unique senses power Teays Valley's Golden Sound

"I don't have any usable vision. Just light perception," Love said. "A little bit of light perception. That's it."

But once that music starts, her senses come to focus.

"I learn a lot by ear," Love said. "Through digital recordings and then I pick that up and slowly chunk it in little parts and repeat it over and over and over again until I start to memorize and I take those chunks and put them together to create a piece."

Love is in the percussion section of the Teays Valley Marching Band, known as the "Golden Sound." In pregame, she's clapping the cymbals for the national anthem and school fight song. Then at halftime, you can find her in the front playing the xylophone.

"Her memorization skills are amazing," Love's aide, Amanda Forquer, said. "She learns it quicker than she made it seem. She can get a song that day and if she listens to it a few times, she's already halfway through the song in the first ten minutes. She memorizes things very well."

Her love for music started early when she started with the piano at a young age.

"My parents trained me to really just appreciate music," Love said. "I thought it was an interesting experience and I love feeling things and having that tactile sense. And I think that resonated with me when I was younger."

Described as once a quiet freshman, Love now plays a pivotal part in the soundtrack of a Friday night at Teays Valley.

"More than anything, she's a regular band kid even though she has some challenges here and there," band director Stephanie Smith said. "I think when people see her shine, they know that they have the ability to shine just like she does. So I think that's an inspiration."

The theme of this year's halftime performance is called "When you're smiling...". And with every note, Love has plenty to smile about.

"I just try to do things like everyone else," Love said. "I think it's so important for students and individuals with disabilities to be able to get out into the world and do things and live through incredible experiences."