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Memory Box: The cardboard piano

Teddy Otieno was obsessed by pianos but had never seen one. He learned with a cardboard replica and YouTube videos until a chance encounter helped him realise his dreams.

Teddy Otieno's love affair with the piano started when he was 13 after and watching videos of Lang Lang on YouTube. He dreamed of learning to play himself but had no access to an instrument, so he sketched out a keyboard on a piece of cardboard instead. Teddy used his cardboard piano to copy the finger patterns of his online heroes, until one day a Kenyan music charity called Ghetto Classics gave him access to a piano for real. He skipped school to practise as often as he could, until a chance encounter with concert pianist Cordelia Williams saw his talent propelled from Nairobi to a UK conservatoire – and then into the final of a reality TV show, where Teddy met the man who started him on his journey.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Julian Siddle and Anna Lacey

If you have a story for our Memory Box about an object with great personal significance, please get in touch! Email outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

Release date:

41 minutes

On radio

Christmas Day 2024 12:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Christmas Day 2024 12:06GMT
  • Christmas Day 2024 18:06GMT
  • Christmas Day 2024 23:06GMT
  • Boxing Day 2024 03:06GMT

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