CoachArt Student Profile | Missaira Cortez

When Missaira came to CoachArt four years ago, she was extremely shy and quiet. She didn't have many friends at school and found communication difficult. Missaira was very different than the other children at her school. While beautiful, she looked unlike the other kids. Missaira was born with Oral Facial Syndrome, a rare type of Craniofacial Deformity that alters the bone structure, makes others' understanding of her speech difficult, and brings patients back to the hospital for repeated surgeries. Now 18 years old, Missaira has experienced over 23 painful surgeries in her young life.

Through CoachArt, Missaira was given a violin and a professional violin instructor for ongoing, weekly lessons. That is when her life changed. "Before CoachArt, it was always school and doctors and home. I was always sad. I wouldn;t talk to anyone. At CoachArt I started to learn to play instruments. I became more talkative and met more people. CoachArt has taken me places. I went from being a sad person to being a talkative and happy person," said Missaira.

When Missaira started violin lessons, she had to overcome multiple obstacles to begin her lessons. Like every other student, Missaira needed to learn to read music and play notes on her instrument. But unlike other students, Missaira had to overcome physical limitations associated with her condition. Working with her coach, they had to devise innovative techniques that would allow her to handle and play the instrument.

As Missaira's musical abilities and love of playing grew, she also began to flourish in other parts of her life. She found the courage to try out for the marching band at her school. Through the marching band, she started to attend football games and high school orchestra and band competitions. Soon she made friends with other students who had a similar interest in music.

Missaira recently had a setback to her violin playing. Four months ago she underwent one of the most painful surgeries she has experienced. She endured a 12 1/2 hour surgery on her face. For months after the surgery, her mouth was screwed shut. Now that the wires and bolts have been removed, she is still unable to hold a violin to her face. But her love of music and determination are unmatched. As soon as she regained her strength, she returned to CoachArt and was paired with a new coach who is teaching her to play the piano.

"It is hard for students who are always going to see doctors. Most of us don't have the money or opportunity to take lessons and learn something new. Our families just don't have the extra money and aren't able to do that. CoachArt can help students with what they are going through," said Missaira.

And the future looks bright for Missaira. In the fall, she plans to attend Los Angeles City College to begin her pursuit in medicine. She plans to minor in music and continue to play.