WINONA LAKE — David Haney is a full-time delivery driver, certified storm spotter for Kosciusko County and a self-taught pianist who performs at various locations in Warsaw and Winona Lake.

Haney, who lives with his wife, Carolyn, in Winona Lake, has been playing piano for 15 years. According to Haney, the first CD he bought was the score from the movie Titanic. Haney said he was about 8 years old when Titanic came out in theaters.

“I fell in love with the score instantly,” Haney said, “I became a huge Titanic fanatic after that – and I loved movie director James Cameron’s work.”

“I was 14 when I started messing around on piano. At that time, I was a drummer in a youth group worship band for Olive Branch Church of God in Roann,” Haney explained. “I found that playing the piano captured me more than playing the drums. Once I started touching the keys I thought, ‘This is it. This is what my passion is going to be and this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life’.”

“I tried reading sheet music, and I don’t understand it,” Haney stated, “So I taught myself how to compose music and to play by ear.”

Haney described how world-renowned Greek performer, Yanni, has been a major inspiration to him.

“I listened to movie scores for years. Around 16 or 17 years of age I discovered Yanni’s ‘Reflections of Passion’ CD at the North Manchester Public Library,” Haney said, “I took it home and listened to it, and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I’d never heard anything like it before, and it changed my outlook on music forever.”

Yiannis Chryssomallis, known professionally as Yanni, is a Greek composer, keyboardist, pianist and music producer who uses the musical shorthand that he developed as a child, blending jazz, classical, soft rock and world music to create predominantly instrumental works.

“Yanni has inspired me to play, and I listen to his music daily at work,” Haney said, “His music has inspired me to compose music and has helped me through tough times. Yanni’s music has made a big impact. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was a kid. His music calms me down. I want to show people that I am unique, that I view the ADHD as a gift, not a disorder.”

Haney plays a Yamaha DGX-660 full-size, weighted, portable keyboard and has played at many area locations. He can be found playing his keyboard at Owens Supermarket on Center Street, Warsaw, many Wednesday and Saturday evenings. He plays at Redwood Firewood Grill and Bar, Warsaw, and also performs occasionally in downtown Warsaw at First Friday events.

Haney has released one CD, titled ‘Flight,’ and is currently working on his next CD. Tracks from Haney’s CD can be found on Youtube.

“It’s a breathtaking experience, to get my music out to the public,” Haney expressed, “It touches people’s emotions, especially when they have never heard my style before. I mainly play relaxing, New Age, background music.”

Haney also spends time performing at local retirement homes, including Grace Village in Winona Lake, and Lakeland Rehab Center in Milford.

“I love performing at local retirement homes, such as Grace Village. It’s neat because I can form a bond with the residents – and they are always smiling when I play,” said Haney, “It’s a wonderful experience to think that my music makes people happy. People want to hear something different, something new – and I think that’s a good thing.”