Pac Rim 2005 Info
Guest Performers: Sujeet Desai
Monday February 28, 2005
Twenty-two year-old Sujeet Desai is an accomplished musician who is born with Down syndrome. Sujeet plays six instruments. Bb and Bass clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Violin, Piano and drums. In June 2001 he graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School in NY with honors and in May 2003 he graduated from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in Massachusetts after two-year residential Post-secondary study in Music and Human services. Emerging from the academy with higher music skills and successful experience of independent living on a college campus, Sujeet continues to do his solo performances and self-advocacy workshops. Sujeet works in Rome, NY for self-advocacy and disability awareness a part of his job is working as teacher's aid for a music department in an elementary school and in a library helping children with books and also plays music for them as well for a local restaurant and different community places. Sujeet just moved to a house with couple roommates to be on his own again.
In 1998, when Sujeet started to volunteer to provide entertainment the overwhelming response received from his audience led to his decision to make music his career. Sujeet is a recipient of 5 International awards for his achievements. In April 2004 Sujeet received “Honor & Pride” award in April 2004 from World Down syndrome Congress for Most Outstanding Individual with Down syndrome where self advocates from over 35 countries were nominated. Sujeet was honored with “ 2004 Christian Pueschel Memorial Citizen Award ” by National Down Syndrome Congress in their National conference in Minneapolis on August 21stst 2004. for outstanding self advocate. In 2001 he received two awards from the President and Minister of Singapore. And in 2000 “Yes I Can” award given by Council for Exceptional Children.
Besides music Sujeet has a Black Belt in martial arts (Tae Kwon Do). He has won Gold & silver medals in the World Games'99 Special Olympics in Swimming. He has won many medals in Special Olympics in Alpine skiing, Cross-country running and Bowling. He enjoys writing emails to his fans from all over the world who visit his web site. Sujeet opened his web site in 1997 in his computer graphic class, which is visited by over 59,000 people from around the world with rave reviews.
Sujeet has worked very hard throughout the last decade trying to become the finest musician he can be, while also working to overcome the limitations of his disability. Music has helped him bridge this gap. With his musical versatility Sujeet is become a role model and has brought inspiration and hope to individuals with disability, their parents, educators, and the services that work with them. Sujeet’s family takes pride in him for all that he has brought into their lives. Currently Sujeet’s parents travel with him to support him with his performances. Their MISSION is to send a message across the world that given opportunities for their abilities individual with disabilities can “Make It Happen!” Sujeet's music is more than just an entertainment. It's educational, inspirational and focused to make his MISSION POSSIBLE!
