April 2025 Student Spotlight: Adeline Durfee

Our April 2025 Student Spotlight highlights a passionate and resilient young artist whose experiences have given her a wisdom far beyond her years – 9 year old Adeline Durfee. Adeline has faced challenges in her nine years that would break many – but have only made her shine brighter! She’s inspired and creative and delights everyone she comes into contact with. 

Adeline is a student of Brennan McShane, who says “I first met Addie when she was 3 years old, and knew right away she had a natural inclination to music. She was always innately curious about all the instruments, and her eyes would light up as she got to try out ukulele, keyboard, and drums. I distinctly remember a very young Addie making a song in Logic Pro with MIDI drums, vocals, and a sample of a Narwhal call- I knew she was a certified hit-maker from that day forward. She has made full-fledged recreations of songs by Taylor Swift, Radiohead, and others and also still loves making her own original tunes in lessons. She is also an amazing visual artist, and her drawings can often be seen adorning the cork board in my lesson room.” 

Rock on Addie! Read on to learn more about this young superstar in her own words…

What do you study and why did you pick that instrument?

I have not chosen a single instrument yet and my lessons consist of playing the piano, ukulele & guitar. I also like to sing, but only in front of my mom & Mr. Brennan. I like to be creative with my teacher and create and record songs from scratch. My attention is not always the best, so it allows me to try many different instruments based on how I am feeling or what we are learning. I also like to try different instruments because it’s challenging, and I like challenges.

Who is your teacher and what do you love about them?

My teacher is Mr. Brennan and there is a lot to like about him. I have ADHD and he is very patient and flexible.  He also kind of follows my lead and knows if we need to change it up often or I will get bored. He pays attention to my musical interests and will do our lessons based on that. He is super talented and he can play almost anything. It’s very impressive and especially on the guitar.

What kind of music do you listen to or play? Who is one of your favorite artists?

I am like my dad and I kind of get into one band or performer for a period of time. I call them my Eras. Right now, I am in my Queen Era and we just named our new puppy Freddie Mercury. I also love Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd, Imagine Dragons, Billy Eilish, Stick Figure, Ghost, Adele, Coldplay, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, and more.

What has been your greatest musical challenge?

This summer I did the Taylor Swift camp, and we did a performance at the end of the week. I was so scared to perform but I played the drums and sang. I had a brain bleed when I was a baby and sometimes it’s hard for me to coordinate my fingers. 

What’s your favorite thing about Stages or do you have a favorite Stages memory?

I like how it’s very flexible. I like how I do not feel rushed and feel like I can learn music at my own pace. They just want everyone to learn music at their own pace and not everyone can learn the same way. Stages supports that.  Mr. Brennan also lets my mom come back if I am feeling nervous.

What are your musical goals? 

I would love to one day be able to play all the instruments for Bohemian Rhapsody.  I would love to improve my guitar and learn more chords.  I would like to feel comfortable singing in front of people. It’s one of my biggest fears.

What is one of your non-music-related goals?

I am only 9 years old, but I really want to rescue animals or work in an animal rescue.  I want to go to the hospital less and stay healthy. (I have a rare disease).

Tell us a fun or interesting fact about yourself not related to music.

I have Short Bowel Syndrome, and I was born at 26 weeks and weighed only 1lb.  I am obsessed with possums.  They are my favorite animal, and I know everything there is to know about them.  They are a very misunderstood animal and they are the cutest animal on the plant.  They are important to our world.