Watch: Alessia’s Back! Teenager With Autism To Perform In Sliema This Saturday
Alessia Bonnici, a 19-year-old pianist on the autism spectrum with limited speech is headlining a unique concert called Music Speaks, with the aim of promoting active citizenship through diversity and inclusion.
The third edition of the concert is taking place this Saturday, 21st September at Teatru Salesjan in Sliema, and brings together a talented group of young musicians featuring special guests Kellyann Spiteri, Mikaela De Guzman Baluyot and Sophia Grech, an internationally celebrated mezzo soprano.
Alessia has been exploring her passion for music since 2012 and the piano isn’t the only instrument she’s picked up since, playing the violin at a grade six level and the viola at a grade five level.
Currently, Alessia is studying at the Malta School of Music where she is pursuing a Diploma in piano. During her first eight years studying at the Malta School of Music she was mentored by renowned pianist and music therapist Rosetta Debattisa.
Alessia has also been mentored by a number of other musicians including Gabi Sultana, Marcelle Zahra, Veronique Vella, Tom Armitage and Tricia Dawn Williams, all of whom have guided and shaped her musical journey into what it is today.
In 2021, Alessia and the Arts Council of Malta, the AX Foundation and others created Ale’s Project where she performed Ilia Chkolnik’s Piano Concerto No.1, where they aimed to raise awareness about the intersection of music and disability.
Following this, she was then invited to Tampere, Finland, to showcase and perform her work on Ale’s Project.
This year, Alessia participated in the Vernal festival where she accompanied internationally renowned artist Gigi D’Alessio, showcasing her talent and versatility as an artist.
Recently, with the help of Jess Rymer and Lee Westwood she has also ventured into the world of music composition where she has created a collection of chamber music which she is excited to present publicly.
On Saturday, the audience can look forward to an hour of eclectic music, and will be helping to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and the value of diversity.
Tickets are €15 for adults and at a concession of €10 for children and students under 16, seniors and people with disabilities and can be found here: https://www.showshappening.com/musicspeaks/music-speaks-life-in-multicolour . All proceeds from this concert will go towards the Malta Trust Foundation.
Will you be attending this concert?