Musician with disabilities inspires hope, talent in others

Jorden Smith, Creative Director of A Positive Note, likes to joke that he “died and went to heaven” when he is in front of the musical group. This is more than his positive attitude shining through – Smith has truly experienced a second chance at life that brought him back to Colorado Springs.
In 2007, Smith was living in Los Angeles as front guitar man in his band Graycase, when another vehicle collided with him on highway 101. The crash put him in a coma for two weeks and left him with a traumatic brain injury and hemiparesis (paralyzed on the right side). Smith’s doctors explained his new limitations, including one heartbreaking assumption: they said would never play guitar again.
“I couldn’t let that happen, even if I had to play with me mouth” said Smith.
When Smith moved back to his hometown, he says lived a meager life and wondered how people with disabilities lived without a coping mechanism like music. He then went to see David Sommers at the Nonprofit Center for Excellence and he pointed him in the way of Linda Weiss who is the founder of the Colorado Springs Conservatory This is where his vision for A Positive Note took root and continues to thrive. His love of music and belief in the potential of all people has attracted nearly 300 students to this program.
“I had never expected how rewarding this would be. After nearly 4 years with the students I have watched go from people who would not even touch an instrument to being so excited about playing songs and instruments that they never thought they would be able to play,” said Smith.
A Positive Note is a transformative music-making program for teens and young adults who have disabilities. The group inspires joy, self-discovery, and belonging as well as encouraging students to move beyond their perceived boundaries. Each week the participants practice guitar, drums, piano, dance and their group song.
This year the students have worked on Sara Bareilles’s song “Brave”. It is truly amazing to watch all of these people that were considered “handicapped”, get up and perform better then most, “able-capped”, people. To find out more that happens at The Conservatory go to https://www.coloradospringsconservatory.org/a-positive-note/.