Ally Crowley-Duncan is no ordinary 10th grader. Her bagpipes would be enough to set her apart. But then consider the fact that the bagpipes are one of at least nine instruments she plays, so far.
Over the past year, Ally's singing and her bagpipes have taken her places.
"I got to go to Fenway and play on the green monster," she said.
She has also sang or played for the Devils, Siena and RPI. And she has competed all over the region with the Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band. Her music, moving people along the way.
"A lady came up to me and she was crying and she touched my shoulder and said that was my mother's favorite song," said Ally as she talked about playing Danny Boy in the mall.
But she says the greatest opportunity she has had is welcoming servicemen and women home.
"It's a really touching experience and I get to witness it all," said Ally.
"It always comes back to the military, we also come back there," said Justine Crowley-Duncan, Ally's mom.
It started during Operation Desert Storm. Justine had friends serving in Iraq.
"I wrote letters and got letters back, it meant a lot to me," she said.
"Even before I knew what soldiers did I knew they were important in my life," said Ally.
When Operation Iraqi Freedom started, Justine and Ally didn't have any friends serving, so they made some.
"We started to pen pal with soldiers overseas," said Ally.
"We've had five units come home, it's very exciting," said Justine.
Justine and Ally have never met the people they write to, but that doesn't matter.
"They are protecting our freedom. We are indebted and this is the only way we know to give back," said Justine.
They started giving back with Ally's music last September when she was asked to perform. One performance turned into many.
"I do it more for them than me. I do feel like I'm sharing something," said Ally.
She plans to continue that as long as she can. She hopes to someday share it with students too, as a teacher.
"Not many people have a job they love," said Justine.
But music, to Ally, doesn't feel like work. It is a passion, a gift, an honor.
"I knew music was going to play a big part in my life because I loved it so much," said Ally.
