Leah Flynn (7) made quite a statement this month when she insisted on visiting the people of Missouri after seeing the unrest in Ferguson on the news. Confused by the violence and sadness she was witnessing, she asked her mother what was going on. Her mother explained the situation to her, and Leah decided she would play her violin to them to make them happy.
Leah has been playing since she was only 5 years old and has gained some experience performing. Her father, also a musician, taught her the songs “Let There be Peace on Earth” and “The Prayer” before taking her from their hometown in Florida to achieve her dream. The young musician had garnered a lot of media attention before making her appearances on CBS, Fox 2/KTVI and KMOX news radio in St. Louis.
Paula Flynn, Leah’s mother, says her daughter is very active in church and describes her as a “spiritual” and “very empathetic” person. The gesture Leah has made with this decision to perform for Missouri signals just how big of a national issue the unrest has become. For one young person from halfway across the country to step up and say ‘something has to be done’ is truly a testament to how significant the issue is.
Leah, playing for peace, reminds us all that our youth is aware, resilient, and ready for change.
