[No
limits. Ron Adea,
shown with his Dad, performs May 17 at Toronto’s Koerner Hall in an
event to benefit autism programs.
Supplied photo]
Mississauga’s Ron
Adea is an 18-year-old budding concert pianist preparing for the biggest
night of his life. Adea will perform at The Autists Gala and Art Auction
on May 17 at Toronto’s Koerner Hall.
“It’s a big hall ... I’m so
happy to be playing there,” he said, when shown a picture of the venue.
What’s especially impressive
about Adea is that he's autistic. Though he has difficulty with learning,
social interaction and communicating, he’s proving that autism is no barrier
to letting his prodigious talent shine. Adea started piano as part of music
therapy aimed at helping him overcome difficulties with autism. Along the
way, he developed into an accomplished pianist.
“Ron’s
performances capture the richness, passion, complexity and nuance of Chopin,
Beethoven and Debussy in a manner that is both inspiring and moving,”
said John Alcorn, music director of The Autists and 2009 National Jazz Award
winner.
In addition to other artists with autism joining Adea,
notable performers at the gala include Gemini Award nominee Shawn Byfield
and Vito Rezza, leader of the Juno Award-nominated jazz ensemble 5 After 4.
The key event at The Autists is a live art auction curated by acclaimed
contemporary Canadian artist and member of the Order of Canada, Charles
Pachter.
Proceeds from the event will
support Geneva Centre for Autism and its programs that benefit more than
4,000 children and youth with autism.
“The goal of everyone
working in the autism field is to see individuals with autism be independent
and able to fully participate in their communities,” said Margaret
Whelan, executive director of Geneva Centre for Autism. “Apart from
raising much-needed funds, The Autists provides an opportunity for
individuals with autism to reveal their talents.”
For more information and tickets, visit
www.theautistsgala.com.jchin@mississauga.net
