OSJ Classical and Jazz – a public concert by performers on the autistic spectrum

Performers include Derek Paravicini piano, Ashleigh Turley piano, Claire Doran soprano

Derek (b. 1979) is an extraordinarily talented pianist, despite being blind and having severe learning difficulties. He plays entirely by ear, and has a repertoire of many thousands of pieces that he has memorised – jazz, pop and light classical – and he is a great improviser. He has played with his jazz quartet in venues across the UK including Ronnie Scott’s and the Barbican.

Ashleigh Turley faced adversity at an early age and became totally blind. But that has not stopped  Ashleigh from developing an extraordinary musical gift.  Ashleigh, 13, has been described as “one in a million” by teachers at Milestone School in Gloucester.  She has been rated in the top one per cent of musically gifted blind children for her piano playing skills which she has refined since an early age.  Ashleigh can play almost any piece after hearing the music only a few times. She doesn’t use braille sheet music.

Music of Life say ‘ We discovered Claire when she was just 15. Back then, Claire wouldn’t make an eye contact or smile because of her autism, she didn’t know much about music and thought the best use of her voice was to sing in the shower. Eight years on, she studies with Christine Caine, professor at Birmingham Conservatoire, sings solos with choirs and orchestras and learns operatic arias in four languages. She travels to rehearsals independently and she smiles all the time!’

Tickets available via the BOOK TICKETS link below.

Prices shown on this OSJ website automatically include the 20% discount which comes with membership of our Conductor’s Circle.