![]() I’ve always loved the show, it’s my favorite thing that I’ve ever seen on television. What motivated you to audition for America’s Got Talent? How could my shirt fall off? When I told my family they explained that he was being metaphorical. So the 2nd night, before going onstage he told me “no matter what happens just keep going, even if your shirt falls off!” I thought that was kind of ridiculous. After the show the director asked me what I was looking for and I told him what happened. I spent the rest of the song looking all around trying to find the pendant, while still playing. During one of the songs, part of the cross fell off. I was wearing a necklace with a cross (inspired by Bruno Mars). I played my first solo concert when I was 8 years old. It’s easier when you have something in common to talk about.ġ1. I would probably advise someone to find a group with other kids that have the same interests as you. I personally do homeschool because I felt overwhelmed in the classroom. What advice would you share with teens who struggle with making friends? AMERICA’S GOT TALENT - “Auditions” - Pictured: Jacob Velazquez - (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)ġ0. I think it has something to do with the hyperfocus I have to work really hard on the things that interest me. How has autism made you a better musician? When I’m playing music I feel like I’m invincible.ĩ. It has always been an outlet for me and helps me escape reality. Music has not only helped me with my autism but everything in general. How has music helped you with your autism? I didn’t understand why I was being called “baby” at 5 years and I also didn’t understand why they didn’t just call me by my name.Ĩ. I never really liked these names because I always took things literally. When I was younger I was called “Baby Beethoven” and “Mini Mozart”. What are some nicknames you have due to your music talent? I now listen to pop, rock, blues, classic rock and metal.ħ. Once I started playing drums it opened me up to a whole new realm. I liked listening to Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars. The only instrument I played was piano until I was around 8 or 9 and I played mostly classical music because that’s what my teachers taught me. As a child what were your favorite bands and music instruments to play? They also searched for a long time to find the perfect school for me. My mom signed me up for a music class and then a music camp when I got older. My parents took me on playdates and mommy and me classes when I was younger. What are some ways your parents’ helped you develop social skills? My mom also applied for a scholarship for me last year which helped pay for some of my new instruments.ĥ. My dad and I jam together all the time now. When they saw my interest in drums they got me a drum-set for Christmas. Most teachers said to come back when I was 7, but they finally found one that was a little bit far away and would drive me 2 days a week. My parents had a hard time finding a music teacher when I was younger. How did your parents support and foster your music talents? During quarantine I learned guitar, cello, sax, bass, ukulele and harmonica.Ĥ. I started watching Casey Cooper (CAS3Y COOP3R) drum videos on YouTube. I started piano lessons when I was 4 and then when I was about 8 or 9 I got a toy drum set. When she came to see who it was, she found my 3 year old self at the piano. One day my mom heard the song that my dad was playing the night before but my dad was at work. I used to sit and watch my dad play piano. I had feeding therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and I went to an ABA based pre-school for children with autism. ![]() What were some therapies you had as a child? I ran away from my parents into the street a few times.Ģ. My favorite place was Home Depot (fan department). While other kids were playing at parties, I would run from room to room to watch the ceiling fans spin. Around this time I started showing signs of repetitive behaviors such as needing to follow certain routines wanting lights to always be on even during the day. At two years old I was diagnosed with speech delay. When I was a baby I babbled but one day just stopped. I didn’t chew my first food until almost 3 years old (1/2 a cheerio). Then when I was about 18 months I was diagnosed with a feeding disorder. They found out I was choking on my own reflux. I was first diagnosed with GERD at about one month old after being taken to the emergency room in an ambulance when my parents found me struggling to breathe. I was diagnosed with PDD-NOS when I was four years old. How did PDD-NOS effect you as a child and at what age were you diagnosed? I had the opportunity to ask Jacob a few questions about his autism and his music.ġ. Ron Sandison interviews child musical prodigy Jacob Velazquezįor those who missed Jacob Velazquez on America’s Got Talent here’s a video of his appearance:
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