Natalie Trayling, a gifted street pianist from Melbourne, Australia, touched millions of hearts worldwide with her soulful performances.
Born to Croatian parents in Western Australia, Natalie’s love for music began at age five when she first encountered a piano. She vividly remembered hearing ‘Good Night Mister Moon’ for the first time.
Though her family couldn’t afford piano lessons initially, a kind teacher stepped in to help the young girl pursue her passion.
At 20, Natalie embarked on a journey across Australia with an entertainment troupe. Her path led her to Tasmania after reading about the ‘Apple Isle’ in the Women’s Weekly magazine. She later settled in Melbourne, where she would become a beloved street musician.
Life dealt Natalie devastating blows. She lost her six-year-old daughter Kerin in a tragic car accident outside their home. Her daughter Jo-Ann succumbed to cystic fibrosis. Her youngest son Nathan battled depression and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Adding to these heartbreaks, the family’s home burned down.
Despite these trials, Natalie found solace in sharing her music with others. For over two decades, she graced Melbourne’s streets with her spontaneous compositions and unique interpretations of classical pieces.
“I just play because I just want the people to hear me,” she said.
Natalie’s life changed when her son Matthew posted a video of her street performance on YouTube. The video reached over 9 million views, bringing her music to audiences worldwide.
Natalie had a unique gift of creating what she called “spontaneous composition” – transforming melodies from Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, and Schubert into her own improvised pieces. “I’ve developed a style that I haven’t deliberately developed. It has actually evolved,” she reflected.
Even during a nine-year period of homelessness, Natalie’s spirit remained unbroken. “I found that being out like that, it was a great freedom,” she shared. “I’m home wherever I am.”
In early 2020, health challenges including severe anemia and nerve damage in her leg forced Natalie to temporarily step away from street performances.
During her hospital stay, she continued playing on a keyboard brought by the music therapist, spreading joy to fellow patients. Her son Matthew visited daily, helping with her rehabilitation and basic needs.
Natalie’s perspective on life radiated profound peace: “I don’t really need anything for solacing. Because I don’t consider myself in any way going through any hardship… It’s an expression. Yes, I get a lot of pleasure out of it. Because I feel that I’m actually part of it.”
The Lord used Natalie’s life to show us how much good we can do, even when things are hard. She proved that we don’t have to wait for perfect times to share our gifts with others.
Natalie’s life showed us real happiness comes when we use our talents to serve people around us, just as God meant us to do.
Though Natalie Trayling passed away on March 5, 2023, the legacy she built through her music continues to inspire countless lives.
WATCH: Natalie Trayling’s Stunning Street Piano Performance
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WATCH: Natalie Trayling Playing Piano at Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2020
