On Wednesday night, February 11, Lyla Carpetto, a senior here at Leesville, began playing the harmonica. The next day, she learned “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Piano Man”. In less than 24 hours, Lyla is becoming a harmonica novelist.

Needing to find something to fill up her free time and learn something new, the senior picked up the harmonica. “I’ve always loved the harmonica and thought it would be even better if I could play it myself,” said Carpetto. 

During a soft tech production meeting for the LRHS spring musical, Carpetto suddenly whipped out a harmonica and began to play. Eventually, the entire room was singing along to her rendition of Billy Joel’s iconic “Piano Man”. Many faces in the room were twisted in surprise at the sudden harmonica music, but they all had a lot of fun clapping and singing along to any tune Lyla decided to play.

Even her older sister, Carly, was shocked and impressed as Lyla excitedly called her to show off her new skill. Lyla’s excitement to try a new thing, even if she has not 100% mastered it quite yet– but she’s very good, I can testify. 

Lyla’s sudden hobby has allowed her to spend her free time learning new songs that she can play for her friends and family. As a member of the technical theatre department’s makeup crew, Lyla plans on spending a lot of time playing her harmonica to entertain the many actors and techies during show week.