By Nila Harris
If you blindly listened to Kip Gregg play the piano, you would think that he was an accomplished adult pianist. Nope. Gregg is only twelve years old, yet he not only plays for Sharp Middle School’s choir, but he also plays each Sunday at his church, Turner Ridge Baptist.
Gregg began taking lessons from Sandy Gabbard, just before he turned six years old. Gabbard, who has been a pianist at Turner Ridge for 37 years, enjoys sharing her talent but saw a need to get young Kip involved in playing in public. She began coaxing Gregg to play at church. Last summer, he began playing each Sunday with the church’s Praise band. Currently, Gabbard asked Gregg to not only play the music, but be responsible for selecting musical pieces for the first Sunday of each month. This concept has been a little daunting for Gabbard because she feels that God has granted her the gift of music and doesn’t think He’s telling her to step down yet. But she also wants to encourage her protégé in stepping up. And young Gregg loves it! He thoroughly enjoys playing music and does an awesome job. Of course, he learned from an exceptional piano player!
Gregg is currently taking lessons from Josh Huff, choir director at Campbell County High School. Gregg will continue to play for the middle school choir this year as a seventh grader. As I watch enthralled as Gregg plays at church, I am reminded of a youngster in my past who followed a similar path—Amy Kearns McKinney. McKinney first played piano for Southern Elementary’s chorus in 5th grade. She had been taking lessons from the school’s music teacher, Pat Lonaker. “Many of her students had the opportunity to play for the school choir at one time or another,” informed McKinney. McKinney went on to play for the middle school, then high school choirs. She still plays for community events and at her church, Falmouth Baptist.
Kudos to these two talented pianists and to the music teachers who encouraged them to share their talent and passion with others.