Piano pitstop spreads joy

Damien Enright entertains passers by on the public piano outside the Deli, playing his original songs.

Every day, after school, we are treated to a piano recital in the Cambridge News office, courtesy of passing teenager Damien Enright. Rain or shine, the 13-year-old Cambridge High student stops by on the way home to play the public piano outside the Deli on the Corner, entertaining passers by with mostly original compositions.

And it’s all in his head, with the piano maestro admitting that he can’t read music yet.  That’s set to change, however, because after nine years of playing the piano by ear he has started taking lessons and will be studying music at school next term.

“For eight years I was just playing by ear…I am terrible at reading music,” he explained. Damien just has a piano keyboard at home, so the public piano provides a chance for him to hone his skills on the real deal. “It’s a good way of relaxing,” he said, adding that he takes his inspiration from the streets of Cambridge.

So, if you happen to be downtown after school, make sure you keep an ear out for Damien and his original music. And the Pirates of the Caribbean song, too.

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