Music for Autism’s Final Concert of 2013
By Jane Dobkin.
Billy Tighe, Gabby McClinton and Bethany Moore performing choreography during the concert time at the December 7 Music for Autism performance
We had our final 2013 performance on Saturday, December 7, and what an amazing concert it was! Three performers from the cast of Broadway’s Pippin, Billy Tighe, the understudy to Pippin, Gabby McClinton, the understudy to Leading Player and Bethany Moore, the understudy to Katherine with Associate Music Director Sonny Paladino on piano led a full audience in song and dance. The concert began with a couple of songs from Pippin, then the three performers taught the entire audience choreography from the show. The concert time also included some well known Disney songs. In the holiday spirit, the conducting time was Frosty the Snowman. Finally, during percussion time, everyone in the audience had an instrument and lively played along to the finale of Pippin.
Jennifer, the mother of a thirteen year old daughter, Anna, wrote after the concert, “I have done many things with Anna over the years–bringing her to Broadway shows, museums, Radio City Music Hall, tree lighting/caroling, Sesame Place and Disney World. I can honestly say that today’s concert was one of the outings that Anna enjoyed most in her life. She felt so comfortable in the presence of your lovely performers and volunteers and she smiled during most of the program and didn’t ask to leave at any point. The music was spectacular, of course, but even more meaningful was the open hearted attitudes of the performers and the volunteers. It was a delight to see how much all of the children and parents were enjoying themselves as a family. I’m sure that you know how anxiety provoking it can be for families to constantly use the principles of ABA to plan for success in the community, especially in large crowds where children are meant to be “well-behaved.” Even when Anna has enjoyed herself in the past, I have often been too stressed to fully enjoy it along with her. It was a rare pleasure for me to unencumbered by that anxiety in the community because of the “autism-friendly” environment. It literally brought me to shed tears of joy.”
For parents like Jennifer, the relief of finding an environment that supports both their child’s joy and their own peace of mind is immeasurable. Anxiety often shadows moments that should otherwise be filled with happiness, making it difficult to be present or truly enjoy experiences. When spaces are intentionally created to reduce stress and foster inclusion, families are able to embrace these moments without the constant weight of worry. Such environments not only provide comfort but also remind parents and children alike that they are not alone in their journey, helping them reclaim experiences that might have once felt inaccessible or overwhelming.
In many ways, this kind of supportive atmosphere mirrors the importance of creating safe spaces for individuals dealing with deeper struggles such as addiction. Exploring the work of Sacred Journey Recovery highlights how intentional environments can empower people to move beyond fear, shame, and isolation into a renewed sense of purpose and resilience. By offering pathways that focus on strength and healing, these programs remind us that well-being is not just about addressing immediate challenges but also about building a foundation where individuals and families can thrive together. Just as an “autism-friendly” concert brought tears of joy to Jennifer, recovery-centered spaces can spark hope and transformation, allowing people to step into a life defined by strength, connection, and possibility.
This was the final concert of the year and the final concert of our Broadway series in partnership with the McCarton School. Be sure to check out our Facebook page with lots of photos from the concert. We are very excited to be kicking off our 2014 concert series in New York on January 25th in partnership with the 92Y.
For upcoming concerts in 2014 please visit: https://www.musicforautism.org/concerts.php
