David Tolley’s life was irrevocably changed in ways he could never have imagined.
He started studying the piano when he was five years old, after his mother spotted his potential. She set up piano lessons for him in his hometown of Dublin, Ohio.
One night, Tolley found himself at the right place at the right moment, and his life was never the same again.
Tolley was a member of the crowd at Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show on December 19, 1985, when something unexpected happened. Carson announced that one of the guests, classical pianist Horatio Gutierrez, would be unable to perform that night due to a hand injury. He then inquired whether anyone in the audience knew how to play the piano.
He first chose Mary Joe, a female contestant, and then Tolley.
Tolley surprised everyone with her performance of Memories from the show Cats. His ability flashed brightly, leaving the crowd in amazement.
The next day, Tolley’s phone would not stop ringing. He received numerous offers to perform at parties and gatherings, as well as roles in films.
His career as a pianist bloomed as a result of an unforeseen opportunity that he seized when it presented itself.
Tolley is currently an associate professor of music composition, recording/production, and music industry at Delaware State University.
According to his website, Tolley graduated as valedictorian from Ohio’s first Performing Arts High School and went on to earn a double Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and Music Composition, as well as a Masters in Music in Composition, from The Ohio State University. He subsequently began his Doctorate at OSU, but a strong desire to relocate to Los Angeles, the world’s entertainment hub, compelled him to head west.
Some of his work includes a project for Steven Spielberg, as well as all of the new original music for the DISNEYLAND theme parks in Paris and Tokyo.
You can take a look at the performance that affected his life forever below.
