Music really is our daily medicine.

And as I grew older, I then auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music in London, and they said, well, no, we won't accept you, because we haven't a clue - you know - of the future of a so-called 'deaf' musician. And I just couldn't quite accept that.

I've kept a diary since I was 11.

There are many collaborations I'd like to explore. One is to co-write a rap concerto with Eminem.

Hearing is a form of touch. You feel it through your body, and sometimes it almost hits your face.

My favorite instrument is the snare drum. In Scotland, the snare drum is very prominent in Highland bands. The Scottish style of playing is in my blood. It's a very powerful instrument, but it can also be soothing, like velvet. It's a real challenge for composers.

I often play on the cello-bass side of the orchestra, because I prefer the deep sounds. I can't hear the violins well.