Shining A Light On Autism

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Jacob is 8-years-old. When he was four, he was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at about the same time his piano talents emerged. A year later he was admitted into the National Musicians Guild after perfectly performing 10 classical pieces from memory.

A dapper Fedora is tugged down over his shoulder-length hair. It’s a late April evening and Jacob Velazquez is performing a recital accompanied by a trio of string players from the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at the Florida Institute of Technology. He steals the show.

Jacob is 8-years-old. When he was four, he was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at about the same time his piano talents emerged. A year later he was admitted into the National Musicians Guild after perfectly performing 10 classical pieces from memory. His parents, Willie and Tina Velazquez, report Jacob learned to play Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 49 No. 2 in just three weeks.

A showman to the fullest extent of the word, Jacob performs a classical and electronic dance music mix, singing, dancing, telling jokes, even emceeing his concert. For someone so young, his onstage presence is remarkable.

“Jacob’s a smart, bright kid,” says Aaron Collins, conductor of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. “He was playing cards before the concert, no jitters, cracking jokes. He was fully engaged.” Singing and dancing, Jacob receives multiple standing ovations. Jacob also speaks about his personal experience with autism and his connection to his favorite performer Taylor Swift. All from the heart.

 

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