Xiong Linghao was born on May 29th, 2002 in Mianyang City, Sichuan Province. She lost her eyesight because of illness when she was only two months old. But her mother later found that Xiong had a talent for music. She could play children's songs on a small electric (电子的) piano when she was 3 years old. At the age of 6, she started learning the piano.
Unlike most learners, Xiong could not see the piano keyboard (琴键), so she must remember where each key is through its sound. That was very hard for her. She practiced for six to eight hours every day so that she could find the right keys.
Xiong's piano skill was getting better and better as she kept practicing. In 2020, she won the Special Jury Prize in an international youth piano competition in Shanghai. "The piano is my best friend," said Xiong. It brings so much pleasure into my life and encourages me to face my life bravely."
Xiong has a great dream. She wants to be a great musician like Beethoven. Beethoven lost his hearing in his 20s and later went completely deaf, but he didn't give up his love for music. He wrote so many famous music works in his life. So for herself, Xiong still has a long way to go.
