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AUTISM NEWS
Autism’s GOT TALENT! Anna Kennedy Online would like to invite you to join us for ‘Autism’s Got Talent’ on Saturday 11th May at the Mermaid Theatre, London. This promises to be a great event, not only for those in the audience but also those who are coming to join us on the stage. It brings together a diverse group of people, who are all on the Autistic Spectrum, to show everyone just how talented they are.
As ever, in a bid to keep reaching out far and wide, we have performers that are coming to us from right across the country and even across the ocean! Especially for My Family Magazine readers, here is a sneak preview of some of the extremely talented performers that will be appearing on stage at Autism’s Got Talent on the 11th May . . .
HWLCC
All too often people make the mistake of thinking that anyone with a disability is capable of very little . . . HOLD THE PRESS . . . on this evening we will be showing everyone just what all these great people really are capable of and just how good they are at it!! Talent comes in many forms so, as you would expect the show covers many different genres ranging from performers with instruments to singers and dancers. We have some great performers who will not only be participating as soloists but also be coming together to perform in a group, something we are all too often told is too difficult for people with Autism to do! Talent stretches way beyond the field of performance; so on the night we will also be hearing from, and championing, people that have done other amazing things; showing great skills in such areas as writing, art and even extreme physical endurance. There will also be informative displays for the audience to view in the foyer beforehand. Join us when the doors open at 6pm and take advantage of the displays in plenty of time before the grand performance starts. This night will surely open the eyes of those who previously didn’t realise just what someone on the Autistic Spectrum can be capable of, not just a night to celebrate a small section of people, but a celebration of EVERYONE that is on the Spectrum.
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West London Community College is a wellestablished Independent Living Skills provision for adults with an Autistic Spectrum Condition or Asperger Syndrome. Students from the college – Melanie Hughan, Damien Bardou, Ross Lee, Kimberly Woolford and Rosy Lucas will perform an extract from their very own version ‘Cinderella’.
HJames
Hobley
James was diagnosed with autism at 5 years old, he had learning difficulties and at 9 years old couldn't read or write and hardly spoke. Because he tip toe walked, James wore splints on both legs and orthopaedic boots; then he discovered dance! Within 6 months of dancing James threw away his splints and boots, and learned to read and write. Since then, James has gone on to win a number of awards and trophies, and in 2011 wowed the nation with his dancing on Britain’s Got Talent. He features in ‘Step in the Right Direction’ a unique DVD for young people with autism, has made numerous appearances for autism charities and recently became junior patron for charity ‘Anna Kennedy Online’. James is truly living the dream, and his hope for the future is that every child with autism can be given the support to achieve their full potential and live their dream too. .
HSubmerses The Autism’s Got Talent audience can look forward to a crowd pleasing performance by Hillingdon Manor School students Adam Salinger, Carl Howes and Andres Lopez; also known as Submerses.
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HColin
Brennan
Canadian born and raised, Colin is 10 years old and was singing before he could talk. Colin had to have extensive speech therapy to talk in full sentences, but NEVER had to have any therapy to sing! Whenever he hears a song, he has to sing it loud! His Autism also gives him perfect pitch and he has the ability to listen to a song that he likes and memorise all the words in a very short time, remembering the song months later like he heard it just yesterday.
HMarie
Gorton
Marie has always enjoyed performing from a young age. She studied performing arts at school and has a particular love for musical theatre and classical music. She is a member of Ace of Herts, which is an all-female choir that performs at venues around Hertfordshire. She also plays violin and is a member of Dacorum Youth Orchestra.
Colin has recorded 17 cover songs and is currently singing in the prestigious Oakville Children’s Choir. He has received letters of commendation from The Right Honourable Stephen Harper the Prime Minister of Canada, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and author J.K. Rowling.
HAshton
McAlpine
11 years old Ashton, has a twin sister Madison and older brother Jack. Her dream is to be a singer and perform at the O2 arena. She loves all kinds of music especially Rock and Big power ballads, and adores her Chihuahua puppy "Nicole" who she named after Nicole Schwerzinger "because she is beautiful." At the age of 3 she amazed her family, when they heard her singing along to Shania Twain’s ‘From this moment on’. At 8 years of age, Ashton performed her first song in front of an audience.
Since leaving school she has performed regularly with Dacorum youth action entertainers, in residential homes across the country. Marie is also a member of the musical theatre group Vivo D’arte, with whom she has been in Les Miserables and recently performed in Noah the musical. Music is Marie’s first love!
Last year she made the finals of TFM radio’s 5 minutes of fame and then went on to win The Next Big Thing ; donating her £300 prize money to a children’s charity.
HCallum
Abbiss
Autistic, 21 year old Callum likes reading and describes himself as outgoing. He loves mixing with different people and wants everyone to have a better understanding of his disability.
HSchool
Life
Helon Kai-Rogers, Busby Pearson, Ali Kasdi, James Oyebola and Dean Clements; aka School Life, have been dancing together for just a few months at the Hillingdon Manor’s after school club under the guidance of their dance teacher Jonathon. The Hillingdon Manor pupils have performed a few times during school assemblies, as well as in the school talent show and have made remarkable progress with their dancing abilities.
Callum is inspired by music! He enjoys singing at karaoke bars and has auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent, The Voice and the X Factor. He has also recently started guitar lessons and can’t wait to share his talent with the Autism’s Got Talent audience.
HMartin
Finn
Martin Finn is 19 years old and lives in Atherton, Wigan. He has severe Autism and is none verbal – but loves to sing. Music is Martin’s passion! He appeared in the BBC 3 documentary 'Autistic Superstars' and is an ambassador for Autism Radio UK, the only Autism Radio station in the UK.
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HThe
Plantin
The Plantin are a pop and rock band made up of disabled and non-disabled musicians originally drawn from staff and pupils at Foyle View School, a special school for pupils with severe learning difficulties. The band has played at major events, conferences and festivals across Britain and Ireland, as well as gigs at local venues.
HJoseph
Ferris
12-year-old Joseph lives with his parents, twin sisters and much loved golden retriever in Northampton. Diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder two years ago, he finds it particularly challenging to make friends and understand social communication. Joseph has always had 3 passions – lego, rollercoasters and music. He joined the school choir at the age of 8 and has since gone on to sing in many school shows. Joseph co-wrote a song called Unity, which was chosen out of hundreds to appear on a CD produced as part of an anti-bullying campaign rolled out across Northamptonshire schools. He currently enjoys singing as a chorister with the boys’ choir at All Saint’s Church, Northampton and is currently learning the guitar and writing his own music.
HThe
David Stinson Theatre School
Students and teachers from The David Stinson Theatre School and the specialist autism provision at Heartlands High School, will be working in partnership with the Cre8 Lifestyle Centre based in London, to choreograph and perform a dance piece called Beautiful People.
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Band member Faustina O'Hagan, aged 18, has severe learning disability, 16 year old drummer Jason Welsh, and lead singer Sorcha Friel aged 19, are autistic, percussionist Ben Austin, aged 15, and singer-dancer Robert Canning have Downs Syndrome. The bands founder and senior teacher at Foyle View, Denise White plays keyboards and the school’s principal Michael Dobbins plays guitar in the band.
HJames
Mason
James is 23 years old and has been involved in charitable work for as long as he can remember. For the past 4 years he has been helping autistic children between the ages of 5-16, through his work for an autistic children’s charity. He fell in love with music from a young age and in his spare time participates in various music projects. James was recently involved with 'The Ambiance', organising gigs to young people in his local area. James gives guitar lessons to children and adults, has his own youtube page and is regularly booked for weddings, gigs in pubs, clubs and other events.
HPineapple
Performing Arts School
You can look forward to an outstanding performance by dancers from Pineapple Performing Arts School. The award winning school, based at the famous Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden, has been working with the charity Anna Kennedy Online to produce Autism’s Got Talent for a second year.
HAnna Kennedy &
Michael John French
For a second year renowned autism campaigner Anna Kennedy will be taking to the stage with dance partner Michael John French, for an amazing tap dancing performance.
HHHHHHHH We have a great team putting this evening together and there have even been rumours of a red carpet and possibly a few well-known faces . . .we could tell you more but surely it’s better to come and see for yourselves! Tickets are £15 for adults and £10 for children but we will obviously help any concessions where we can. Everyone is welcome – this will be a very understanding and Autism Aware Audience. We really do want this to be a mixed audience of those on the spectrum and those that aren’t.
Tickets are available now by calling 01895 619734 or email lisa.robins@thevines.org.uk
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