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Sarah McKinney, a 5th grade student at Carleton School in Penns Grove, plays the trombone. McKinney was born with no hands but plays the trombone with the use of prosthetics. Earning herself a place in the South Jersey Elementary Honors Band, Friday, May 24, 2013. (Staff Photo by Cindy Hepner/South Jersey Times)

PENNS GROVE — Although she was born without hands, at just 10 years old Sara McKinney said she has no limits.

The fifth-grader from Carneys Point has already mastered the skill of playing a trombone, earning herself a seat in the South Jersey Elementary Honors Band.

Using prosthetics, she set her sights on playing an instrument almost two years ago as a student at Paul W. Carleton School.

“From the first day I had music, my teacher introduced the instruments and I wanted to play,” Sara said before playing a song on her trombone Friday morning.

First, she had her eye on the flute, but after working with her mother and music teacher Gary Schneider, she decided on the trombone.

“I was so happy, I thought it was a dream,” Sara said, smiling as she remembered tackling the obstacles before her and learning to play.

Music teacher Gary Schneider said Sara is one of the two top trombone players he has ever taught.

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“Sara’s just another trombone player — she doesn’t have limitations. We really thought the trombone would be best and would not hold her back from anything,” Schneider said.

Nominated for the South Jersey Elementary Honors Band, which is comprised of the eight counties in Southern New Jersey, Sara performed in the honors band concert on May 4. Additionally, Sara is one of 10 students in the elementary school jazz band and has a blast entertaining at Carleton.

Not only did Sara set her mind to jazz, she heard the way the band played and knew she could get a solo. Thursday night, she performed her solo during the jazz band concert.

For Sara, learning to play the trombone was a challenge that forced her to stretch outside her comfort zone. But it's the music that challenges her the most, not her handicap.

“When it comes to reaching new notes — and especially high notes — sometimes I worry about getting the counting right,” she said, just like any other musician.

Her mother, Debbie, expressed the overwhelming emotion she felt the first time she witnessed her daughter performing on the instrument.

It brought her to tears, she said.

“I watched her and I cried — she pushes herself above and beyond to do things everyone takes advantage of,” Debbie said.

Her mother added that everything Sara does with her prosthetics is mind-blowing including eating corn on the cob and playing video games with her younger siblings, sister Kaelyn, 9, and brother Ian, 5.

Her dad, Richard is also supportive of everything she tackles.

Instrumental Music teacher, Gary Schneider, left, points out some notes for Sarah McKinney, a 5th grade student at Carleton School in Penns Grove. Sara was born with no hands but plays the trombone with the use of prosthetics, earning a place in the South Jersey Elementary Honors Band.

Learning to play the trombone forced Sara to practice with the prosthetics, her mother explained.

“Her brain is telling the arm what to do and it does it, working off the muscles,” Debbie said. “She plays a wicked trombone.”

Sara said all the work is worth it when she hears the music.

“It’s been difficult, but I always manage to find a way,” Sara said. “I’ve also been working on trying to face my fears with crowds.”

Not only has Sara perfected the art of making music, she has enjoyed trying everything, from playing soccer and doing cartwheels to writing and weaving a blanket.

“I thought she’d never be able to write, but her penmanship is amazing. She’s very independent and not afraid to be who she is — she is her own person,” her proud mother said.

Debbie added that the only time Sara stops to sit still is when she is reading, which she loves.

“If she says she wants to do something, we’ll figure out a way,” her mother added.

Sara is always ready for the next challenge. She said she wants to try to surf and she loves swimming.

When she grows up, Sara said, she wants to be an architect — an idea she had after reading a book.

“I wish I could win a lottery and own my own tropical island and build my own house,” she Sara, smiling about what the future might hold.

The Honors Band player has a bit of advice for others with difficult goals to reach.

"No matter what — if it’s something you want to do, always try your best and reach for the stars,” she said

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Contact staff writer Brittany M. Wehner call 856-935-1500 or email bwehner@southjerseymedia.com