Blind band member's unique senses help power his high school's sound

LITTLE ELM, Texas — There is something unique about the Little Elm High School band and it goes beyond their sound. 

Among their talented musicians is high school junior Ely Sosa, a blind student whose determination and passion for music are an inspiration to all.

"Don't put any barriers in front of you. [Don't say], 'I can't do this or do that," said Sosa. 

Ely was born blind. But you wouldn't be able to tell by the way he moves on the field during their marching band routine. 

He doesn’t just play the trumpet; he feels the music in a way most people can’t understand. Ely uses spatial memory and relies on mental maps to navigate through life and campus and through the band routine. And in the moments he cannot do things on his own, he has a good network of friends to help along the way.

"I wanna be inside his brain and the map! You know he's gotta be flipping maps in his brain," said Little Elm High School band director Laura Sturch. 

His friends and sophomores, Jacob Barnard and Kyle Thomas, aren’t just bandmates and fellow trumpeters—they’re his eyes, guiding him through the choreography. They help with minor adjustments like shouting out directions or placing their hand on his shoulder and guiding Ely to his spot. 

From the first competitive season, Ely was tethered to his friends with a belt to help him stay on track. But as the trio grew more skilled, they pushed their band director, Laura Sturch, to remove the ropes and allow Ely to march freely.

"I do it not because I have to but because I want to. And without us, he wouldn't be able to," said Kyle.

Together, they’ve made Ely’s dream of marching in the band a reality. They've dubbed themselves unofficially as "Eli Squad." 

And, nobody is happier than Ely's mother, Leidi, who you'll find standing on the sidelines recording the performance to help Ely with his movements which they practice in the living room of their home.

“Ely is my sunshine. I give him life, but he gives me a reason to live,” Ely's mom said.

Ely’s story is not just about music—it's about breaking barriers. 

"Every kid deserves a chance," Sturch says. What few people realize is the high stakes that come with competitive marching band. "Do the judges know [he's blind]? No. Nobody needs to know," Sturch said.

Ely tells WFAA that he wants to do two things: play music and be famous. We'd say he's well on his way to achieving both.