Logo
Sujeet Desai Headshot
Report a problem with this profile
[email protected]

Sujeet Desai        

First Musician With Down Syndrome To Perform At Carnegie Hall

Sujeet Desai is an accomplished musician born with Down Syndrome. Desai has mastered seven instruments: Bb and bass clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, piano, trumpet and drums. His lifetime dream came true when he became the first person with Down Syndrome to perform at Carnegie Hall on May 20th, 2015, to a standing ovation no less. Desai now travels worldwide to do inspirational solo music performances and self-advocacy workshops.

In June 2001, he graduated from high school with honors, and in May 2003, he graduated from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in Massachusetts after a two-year residential post-secondary study in Music and Human Services. After graduation, Desai worked as a teacher’s aide for an elementary school music department and continues to introduce music to audiences though his volunteer work. Since March 2000, Desai has performed in nearly every state and 13 countries. Desai is a recipient of numerous national and international awards for his music and self-advocacy. Those awards include an Achievement Award on United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons, the World Down Syndrome Day Award from Down Syndrome International, the Thank You Award from Special Needs Families Developmental Center in Dubai and an award by the President of Singapore for self-advocacy & music.

Besides music, Desai has Third Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon. He is a winner of gold and silver medals in the World Games 1999 Special Olympics in swimming and numerous medals in the Special Olympics in Alpine skiing, cross-country running and bowling.

Desai's amazing story has been highlighted in two documentaries and many TV and newspaper interviews. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine, as well as on TV shows including The View, 20/20 and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Desai's mission is to send a message across the world that, given the proper opportunities, individuals with disabilities can “Make it Happen!”

Speech Topics

My Story: How I improvise my life with multiple intelligences

Sujeet Desai performs with a musical power point workshop “My Story: How I improvise my life with multiple intelligences”. Sujeet's 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!

News

13 people with Down syndrome who are breaking barriers in entertainment, athletics, fashion, and more
Desai has mastered seven instruments: Bb and bass clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, piano, trumpet, and drums. He has performed in almost every state and in 13 countries. Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day in 2016, he said, "Each impossible mission can be made possible if you put your mind to it and work hard without giving up."
The miracle of music
Sujeet Desai, who has down syndrome, is not just an expert in several musical instruments, but is also an accomplished sportsman. Sujeet Desai plays the clarinet in the center of the living room, his fingers finding the notes with uncanny surety as he coaxes Mozart from the brass flute. This is only one of the instruments that the 35-year-old American Indian, who has down syndrome, can play.
Sujeet Desai Interview
“Each Impossible Mission can be made Possible if you put your mind to it and work hard without giving up,” What a brilliant message by Sujeet for World Down Syndrome Day 2016. Sujeet practices what he preaches and this is evident from his long list of achievements.

Related Speakers View all

More like Sujeet