Memory Box: The cardboard piano

Available for over a year

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 [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707