A 10-year-old autistic girl from Northern Ireland is wowing social media with her Youtube version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Leonard Cohen, a Canadian song writer and singer, died on November 7, 2016 at age 82.

Kayleigh Rogers attends Killard House school in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. The school has 200 students from ages three to 16.

In the song, that has since gone viral on Facebook with over 1 million views, Kayleigh leads the school’s choir in a moving rendition of the international hit.

Since it was part of the Killard House’s Christmas program, the school changed the words to tell the story of Jesus’ birth.

Kayleigh started school at age 7 and not only struggles with autism but ADHD as well. Though of moderate severity, they have resulted in “learning delays” for Kayleigh.

In an interview with BBC, the school’s principal Colin Miller said Kaylee is normally a very shy girl, but when she begins to sing, she shines.

Miller told Belfast Live:

“She may only be a child but she has an amazing tone to her voice and when I heard her sing Hallelujah, I can honestly say the hairs stood up on the back of my neck and I had tears in my eyes.”

But I loved the way Miller summed up Kaylee’s talent and struggles in his interview with BBC:

“All my kids have talents, as well as barriers, and this is hers.”

 

Sources:

• Carol concert audience moved to tears by choir girl with special needs: The Telegraph
• Special needs schoolgirl wows audience with voice: BBC