SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – A world-renowned performer and disability advocate makes a stop on the Suncoast to inspire arts educators.
“Every single student deserves a high-quality arts education,” Van Wezel Foundation Executive Director of Education Kelli Maldonado said.
With school starting this week, the Van Wezel Foundation joined the School District of Sarasota County in presenting Adrian Anantawan as the keynote speaker on a learning day for more than 150 arts teachers.
“I was blown away by his mission of excellence in arts education not being an exception,” Maldonado said. “That we should work as a community, as educators to make sure every student regardless of their ability, regardless of their background.”
Anantawan was born without a right hand. When he was a 5th grader in music class, he realized he had to face certain challenges.
“Our music teacher at that point wanted us to play a musical instrument, but it was the recorder,” Anantawan said. “So that was the obstacle from the very start because I couldn’t hold the instrument and play all the notes at the same time.”
But he didn’t let this stop him from playing music. With help from rehab engineers, he found ways to play the violin. Anantawan did not isolate himself or let his hand be his limitation.
“I had the same problem as everyone else,” Anantawan said. “After the adaptation was in place, it was how do you make a good sound on a violin in particular.”
He adds, “Most of the time, because it’s music, there is always some type of adaptation or interpretation that you can do in order to solve those types of problems.”
But he couldn’t do it alone.
“I don’t know if I would have been able to pursue a career as a professional violinist if it hadn’t been for supportive parents, friends, especially teachers,” Anantawan said.
“We all have that teacher, and this is that opportunity for our educators to think about how they can be that support system,” Maldonado said.
So, at Riverview High school Monday morning, Anantawan emphasized the message of how teachers should think about music within the lens of accessibility, equity, and inclusion.
“Anything is possible so long as we have the correct attitudes in place and center our belief systems around the potential of any child to be able to excel in their best capacity through music,” Anantawan said.
As a performer, educator and disability advocate, Anantawan is doing just that; teaching the younger generation there are no limitations to their success.
Anantawan founded a Music Inclusion Program in Boston, Massachusetts for kids of all abilities to play music, to learn how to play, and to adapt and overcome any obstacle.
