What does it mean to perform on stage when you can’t clearly see it? For Katelyn MacIntyre — soprano singer, music teacher, and president of the National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division — it means adapting, improvising, and pushing expectations every time she takes the stage.
In the latest episode of See Things Differently, Katelyn joined HumanWare to share how she learned to perform with low vision, how she continues to teach and inspire others, and why she believes vision loss should never be a barrier to artistic expression.
Learning to perform without sight reading
Katelyn has a Master’s in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon and has sung all over the world. But reading traditional sheet music has never been part of her process.
“I can’t sight read. My vision just doesn’t allow it,” she explains. “So, I learn music by going very slowly, breaking it into phrases, playing notes on the piano, repeating them back, and layering in the rhythm and words.”
To make reading easier, she’s used massive 12-by-18-inch large-print scores, often needing to flip pages just to complete a single line of music. The process is slower, but her discipline and love of music keep her going.
Stage lights and spatial challenges
Performing on stage presents another layer of difficulty: bright lights, unpredictable environments, and rapidly shifting direction.
“When those bright spotlights are on me, I can’t see anything in the audience. Zero,” says Katelyn. “Sometimes I use the lights as a cue, like, if it’s hitting my left side too much, I know I’m turned too far.”
Instead of relying on vision, Katelyn has learned to map out her surroundings in creative ways, using tactile landmarks like rugs, props, or even the back of a couch to know where she is. When moving across the stage, she might link arms with a fellow actor, doubling the moment as part of the performance.
“You never know if your vision’s going to be shaky that day. So, I don’t depend on it. I try to build in ways to know my space without needing to see it.”
Dancing with confidence and trust
One of the most surprising things about Katelyn’s story? She’s also a competitive ballroom dancer.
“I’ve traditionally been the ‘follow’ in dance partnerships, which actually works great for someone who’s blind,” she explains. “The lead decides direction and pace, so I can focus on reacting and expressing.”
Ballroom dance became a huge part of Katelyn’s life, she even met her husband on the Carnegie Mellon ballroom team. Dance helped her develop body confidence, spatial awareness, and trust in her own movement.
“My parents encouraged me to try different activities. I did ballet, clogging, all sorts of things. It helped me become confident moving through the world.”
The blind performer’s toolkit
As president of the NFB Performing Arts Division, Katelyn is working to normalize blind participation in music, theater, and dance, whether for professionals or passionate hobbyists.
“We can compete with our sighted counterparts. Sometimes it just takes a little adaptation or patience from the team.”
To help others, the NFB Performing Arts Division recently launched the Blind Performer Fact Sheet; a living resource filled with real-world adaptations, such as:
- Using tactile tape on the stage to mark standing spots
- Feeling a dance instructor’s feet to learn choreography
- Using sound cues (like orchestra placement) for orientation
- Getting clear verbal directions instead of visual ones
It’s a resource that performers can even hand to directors or instructors.
The cringeworthy moments (and how to handle them)
Of course, performing blind isn’t just about technique. It’s about navigating other people’s assumptions too.
“There’s this irrational fear that I’m going to fall off the stage,” Katelyn says with a laugh. “One time someone asked my mom if I’d be okay, and then said, ‘She has a sixth sense, right?’”
Katelyn’s answer? “No, I just have practice and good technique.”
These kinds of moments aren’t uncommon, whether it’s being talked over, overly assisted, or misunderstood. But Katelyn handles them with the same grace she brings to the stage: with clarity, confidence, and a bit of humor.
Performing is for everyone
Katelyn’s story is one of many — and she’s working to make sure even more voices are heard. “Being blind shouldn’t stop you from acting, dancing, singing, or sharing your story. Whatever your art form is, you belong in it.”
Through her podcast Scene Change, her work with the NFB, and her ongoing mentorship of blind students in music and beyond, she’s creating space for others to take center stage, no matter how much or little they can see.
Listen to the full episode of See Things Differently for more from Katelyn, along with tips from HumanWare’s product experts and insights from low vision entrepreneurs.
Want to learn more about assistive tech for low vision performers?
Explore HumanWare’s products or reach out — we’re here to help.
Explore HumanWare’s products or reach out — we’re here to help.
Explore HumanWare’s products or reach out — we’re here to help.
Explore HumanWare’s products or reach out — we’re here to help.
Explore HumanWare’s products or reach out — we’re here to help.
Explore HumanWare’s products or reach out — we’re here to help.
Explore HumanWare’s products or reach out — we’re here to help.
