Adrian Anantawan was one of seven, of the 80 violinists worldwide, accepted into the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He explained, “It’s important to me that people think of me as a wonderful musician and not a wonderful musician for not having a right hand. I want people to judge me by what they hear, not what they see.”

Born without a right hand, Adrian was growing up socially withdrawn and didn’t speak until he was 3 years old. When he was 7, his mother, Marie, enrolled him in violin lessons, hoping it would help him overcome his shyness. Within 6 months, Adrian was performing in a youth orchestra. His self-assurance grew. He became more social and his school grades soared. Music provided him with a means of self-expression and helped him “learn how to learn.”

While playing the violin, Adrian wears an adaptive device that fits onto the end of his forearm. This enables him to hold his bow and feel the vibrations of notes as they travel through the device and up his arm. He plays with a silicon tube attached to his forearm and held in place by straps. A spatula piece sits on the end to which his bow is attached. Adrian practiced between 6 to 10 hours a day and mastered violin techniques such as playing pizzicato and staccato. He uses other prosthetic devices for his athletic activities such as swimming and weightlifting.

As a teenager, Adrian studied at the Etobicoke School of the Arts in Toronto and served as concertmaster for its symphony orchestra and ambassador for its 2000 Spring European Tour.  He ranked second in the audition for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and was among its youngest members. He also won the Rosemary Kenney International Young Soloist Award for 2002.

Adrian has gone on to earn degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale University and Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has performance at the White House, the Opening Ceremonies of the Athens and Vancouver Olympic Games and the United Nations. He has played for the late Christopher Reeve and for Pope John Paul II, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Adrian’s Advice: “Letting people see you as someone who has a challenge is almost a good thing. You’re showing them the potential of humanity.”

At a TED Talent Search presentation years later Adrian explained, “I had great teachers who were tough on me but also believed that I could reach my full potential and quality friends who kept me from being bullied both in elementary school and high school.” He adds, “The greatest challenge of having a disability is not one of character but being able to find the tools to be able to express that character.”  While all children may not have the same luck and opportunities as he did, Adrian believes it is possible to have a career in music for those with disabilities, given the right environment.

For more information on Adrian, visit his website: www.AdrianAnantawan.com

(Ontario, Canada: 2001)