Pianist Derek Paravicini and author Adam Ockelford
05 30, 2019 at 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Blind and autistic, musical savant Derek Paravicini has been featured twice on 60 Minutes and is the topic of the book “In the Key of Genius”, written by his teacher and author Adam Ockelford. Both gentlemen will be in San Diego from London for the Mainly Mozart Festival’s “Music & Autism: Empowering the Mozart in Us All” from May 30 through June 2. Mr. Ockelford will be discussing the role that music plays in those with physical and mental limitations, and we will have a performance by Derek.
Derek was born extremely prematurely, at 25 weeks. His blindness was caused by an overdose of oxygen therapy given during his time in a neonatal intensive care unit. This also affected his developing brain, resulting in his severe learning disability. He has perfect pitch and can play any piece of music after hearing it once. He began playing the piano at the age of two when his nanny gave him an old keyboard. At age seven, Derek gave his first concert in Tooting Leisure Centre in South London.
