Kayden Berry’s physical impairment doesn’t slow him in the least and his grandmother and band director agree.
McCune-Albright syndrome – a rare genetic condition that affects the bones, skin and endocrine system and occurs an estimated once out of every 100,000 to one million births worldwide – might place some limitations on what Kayden can do but it has not stopped the McMichael Middle School seventh-grader from playing in the band. Not as a sixth-grader, and certainly not this fall when he returned to classes for a new year.
“I want to reassure you that there is nothing abnormal about him,” said his grandmother, Cotina Evans, who is an assistant principal at Nacogdoches High School. “He has always shown a keen interest in music, especially percussion, which is a powerful outlet for his creativity.
“I can't help but admire how his spirit remains unbroken despite being fragile and having broken many bones. It's inspiring to see his resilience and determination.”
Kayden said his interest in music was there before entering McMichael Middle School last fall, and now he relishes the chance to play alongside other students.
“Just getting to play together is great,” he said.
One of the side effects of McCune-Albright makes holding the trumpet the correct way a challenge for Kayden, and McMichael Middle School band director Crystal Bradsher was determined to come up with something that would make the task, well… easier.
An answer was just across town at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Over the summer, Kayden attended band camp at SFA. Bradsher talked with one of the music professors about a solution for Kayden that would give him more control over the trumpet. The music professor referred Bradsher to Dr. Dan Bruton, an engineering professor at SFA who also oversees the school’s Planetarium located in the Ed & Gwen Cole STEM Building.
Bruton and his son Gerson – a mechanical engineering student at SFA – completed the project at the school’s STEM Building’s Maker Space.
“We constructed a custom stand for Kayden's trumpet, designed to help him hold it up while playing,” said the elder Bruton. “Our construction materials included metal electrical conduit and joints from MakerPipe.com, offering a sturdy and practical solution.”
The device has greatly improved Kayden’s ability with the trumpet, Bradsher said. Last year, he held up the horn as best he could but getting his hands in the correct position was nearly impossible.
Kayden uses the stand with his trumpet during practice last month.
“[The stand] helps me hold the trumpet the right way,” Kayden said, “because I get tired easily.”
With the device designed and assembled by Bruton and his son, the band directors at McMichael are working with Kayden on proper technique.
“Now, we’re working on getting his hand positioning correct,” Bradsher said.
Kayden says he will stick with the band program through high school. In addition to his music, Kayden is also interested in science, something he hopes to pursue after graduation. “I like astronomy and astrophysics.”
For Bruton and his son, this was not the first project using metal electrical conduit. “Previously, we've built prototypes for an off-road vehicle roll cage using similar materials, showcasing the versatility of metal electrical conduit.
“As a professor of physics who also teaches engineering and astronomy, I'm always thrilled to see these hands-on projects come to life, especially when they involve collaborating with students and, in this case, my son, who is a Mechanical Engineering major,” Bruton said. “It's a great example of how STEM education can extend beyond the classroom, encouraging innovation and practical application.”
Evans, Kayden’s grandmother, is grateful.
“I want to express my appreciation and thanks to Dr. Dan, SFA professor, and his son Gerson for collaborating with Crystal Bradsher,” said Evans. “They developed a prototype to assist Kayden in the upcoming year to prevent early fatigue. I am grateful for their commitment to supporting Kayden's musical journey.”
Dr. Dan Bruton and Cotina Evans, Kayden's grandmother, make adjustments to the stand.