I went to hear a concert yesterday at the Rubinstein International Piano Competition. Among the pianists is Carlos Ibay, who's been playing since the age of 2 and developed an international career including concerts in Carnagee Hall - and he's blind since birth. He doesn't learn the notes by Braille, but rather by listening to the music repeatedly. Oh, and he sings as well, from Opera to Gershwin standards to Filipino folk music. And speaks 7 languages fluently.
It's quite a sight - you can see it online at http://www.arims.org.il/competition2008/pages/english/competitors-list.php?competitor_id=18
You can also read about him at http://www.carlosibay.com/nwprofile.html
