Music That Flies: How a Blackerby Violin Helped a Brave Young Songwriter
At Blackerby Violin Shop, we know that music has the power to heal, to bring comfort, and to amplify voices that need to be heard. Recently, we had the privilege of lending a violin to a local musician named Kenzo for a truly extraordinary purpose: helping pediatric cancer patients record their very own original songs.
We sat down with Kenzo to learn more about his inspiring work with Purple Songs Can Fly and how a violin from our Austin shop made its way onto a custom track for a child facing the fight of their life.
Giving Voice to Young Heroes
Kenzo has been playing violin, piano, and guitar since childhood, but a year ago, he felt called to use his talents to bring peace to hospice patients. That journey eventually led him to the Texas Children’s Hospital Arts in Medicine Program, where he was introduced to a breathtaking initiative called Purple Songs Can Fly.
Founded in 2005, the mission of Purple Songs Can Fly is simple yet profound: to positively affect the lives of pediatric cancer patients and their families through writing, recording, and sharing original music.
"We find willing patients in the waiting room of the oncology wing," Kenzo explains. "With approval and consent from the family, we bring them to our recording studio on the very same floor. In the booth, the children write their own lyrics and sing with their own voice. We create the music with them in real time as a collaborative work."
A week later, the team finishes producing the track and sends it to the family; A permanent, beautiful commemoration of the child's strength and creativity.
An "Epic" Collaboration from Austin
Though Kenzo recently relocated to Austin for work, his heart remained tied to the kids in Houston. He began working remotely with the program to help produce backing tracks from afar. When he needed a violin to lay down a specific part for a patient's upcoming song, Blackerby was honored to step in and loan him the perfect instrument.
We asked Kenzo about the specific song our violin helped bring to life, and the story is nothing short of magical:
"The specific song I used the violin for was an original composition inspired by the patient's favorite musical, 'Epic' which was a musical popularized on TikTok, created by Puerto Rican artist Jorge Rivera-Herrans, and based on Homer's The Odyssey," Kenzo shared. "Adding the violin brought in those iconic string elements found in the musical, giving the piece the feel of a true adventure."
Thanks to this incredible collaboration, a brave young writer got to hear their own lyrics backed by the sweeping, adventurous strings of a Blackerby violin, transforming a hospital room into a cinematic stage.
The Goal: Bringing "Purple Songs" to Austin
Now that Kenzo is an Austinite, his ultimate dream is to establish a permanent branch of Purple Songs Can Fly right here in our community.
"Austin is teeming with creatives and artists more than willing to lend their talents to a beautiful cause," says Kenzo. "I want to give more opportunities to creatives here in the city, and most of all, help our patient population through the power of music and art."
How You Can Help
We are calling on our incredible Blackerby community to help Kenzo bring this beautiful movement to Central Texas. Here is how you can get involved today:
Sign the Petition: Help show the community demand by signing the Petition to bring Purple Songs Can Fly to Austin.
Learn More: Read about the incredible work being done at Purple Songs Can Fly and the Periwinkle Arts in Medicine Program.
At Blackerby, we are incredibly proud that our instruments play a small part in a child's healing journey. Thank you, Kenzo, for letting us be a part of your music!
Images provided by Purple Songs can fly