Ken Medema

Legally blind Christian musician Ken Medema's passion for music began at the tender age of five while playing on his mother's piano. Born in Grand Rapids Michigan in 1942, he grew up during a time when blindness was not widely accepted. Children shunned the young Medema for being different, and he spent much of his childhood alone seeking solace in music.

Medema started professional musical instruction when he was eight. Through the careful instruction of his teacher, young Medema was able to use Braille music sheets and his memory to learn the classics. He was encouraged to be innovative with his music style and his musical talent flourished. In 1969 Medema received a Master's Degree in Music Therapy from Michigan State University.

Medema began recording albums for Word and Shawnee Press in 1973, and in 1985 founded an independent recording company in Grandville Michigan. He called his new company Bier Patch Music.

By 2002 Medema had produced several albums, and presented thousands of piano and voice performances all over North America, Australia, Africa and Europe. ~ Diana Moes VandeHoef