For many people, music is a passion. For Aidan Moore, it’s a calling. Growing up in a family with deep roots in the legacy of Florida A&M University’s Marching 100, Aidan dreamed of joining a prestigious marching band from a young age. His journey, however, is remarkable not only because he achieved that dream, but because he did so while overcoming the challenges of progressive hearing loss.
Now a senior at St. Augustine High School, Aidan serves as the drum major for the school’s acclaimed Marching 100. His leadership, resilience, and unwavering determination have inspired many, proving that limitations are only as powerful as the doubts we allow them to create.
Music runs through Aidan’s veins. He grew up surrounded by the energetic sounds of marching bands, influenced by his uncles and older brother.
“My mom used to tell me that I could march before I could walk,” Aidan recalls.
His passion for music only grew stronger over time. St. Augustine High School’s Marching 100 was a goal he set his sights on early in life. Through hard work, discipline, and a relentless spirit, Aidan made his dream a reality.
Born with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss—a genetic condition that has progressively worsened—Aidan chose to view his hearing loss not as a setback but as a source of strength, thanks to his father’s wisdom.
“My dad always told me to treat my hearing loss as a superpower, not a limitation,” Aidan shares. “He went through a similar experience and always carried himself as if it didn’t affect him. That mindset shaped me—I see it as a challenge to overcome, not something that defines my limits.”
From an early age, Aidan learned to adapt. The powerful rhythms of marching bands helped him fine-tune his senses, sharpening his ability to feel the music and stay in sync with the beat. His perseverance paid off, and not only did he earn a spot in the Marching 100, but he also rose through the ranks to become the drum major.
His advice to others facing similar challenges?
“If it’s what you want to do, don’t let anything stop you. Instead of focusing on obstacles, find a way around them—find the ‘loophole.’ Have the discipline to achieve your goals and the drive to ignore other people’s doubts.”
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