| BIO
(updated January, 2008)
Brittany Maier was born in April of 1989. Premature by four months, she weighed only a pound and five ounces. Even though she was diagnosed blind, autistic, and mentally disabled, Brittany began playing Schubert's Ave Maria on a toy piano at age six, and her amazing musical talent began to surface. Able to duplicate a song after having just heard it a few times, Brittany memorized music with no limit to style, instrument, or language it was recorded in. At age ten, after receiving formal music instruction at The University of South Carolina's School of Music, Britt began composing her own original songs, and she released her first album"20/20" when she was just twelve years old.
In 2005, Brittany moved to New York where her talent found a larger audience through the media. Arriving there, her story was filmed by Dateline NBC, reaching a viewership of over 16 million people. A few months later, she performed as guest of honor at Governor and Mrs. Pataki's Annual Prayer Breakfast. Then in 2006, CNN's Paula Zahn featured Britt on her show, Paula Zahn - Now!, and placed Brittany's story among a select few that "kept people talking " that year. Reveling in the applause of a live audience, Britt accepted a personal request from Montel Williams to appear on his show, where she performed an original song, "Tears For My Country," a piece dedicated to the lives lost in the September 11th tragedy. Weeks later she entertained a crowd of fifty-five thousand Met fans at Shea Stadium, and in December 2006, at age 17, Britt released her second CD, titled "A World of My Own," which Barnes & Noble stores began carrying nationwide.
By 2007 Brittany's story and music grew a worldwide audience and she was invited to Germany where she performed a live television spot with a captivated audience. She touched the hearts of millions, throughout seven European countries which the show broadcasted to, as she performed Elton John's "Candle In The Wind" for Die Show Der Merkwurdigkeiten (“Show of Miracles”). As one could expect, Brittany's opportunities continued to increase as her name grew in recognition. She recently opened a fundraising concert in Miami, which featured Grammy award winning artist Ciara, and in March 2008 Brittany will be honored with The Purple Heart of Courage award by The Heather on Earth Music Foundation, (a not-for-profit organization that brings music to children's hospitals in New York), alongside television personality Donny Deutsch, (The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch on CNBC).
Even though it's hard to predict what exciting new event will happen next in Brittany's extraordinary life, a regular day in the life of Brittany Maier can mean a variety of things that are both philanthropic and magnanimous. On a regular basis Brittany performs for her community, throughout NY, and in the tri-state area. She educates children in schools, teens away at college, and adults at conferences. She also lends herself nationally by traveling to charitable functions that raise awareness for autism as well as many other disability causes. Brittany shows people they can overcome any obstacles in life they are presented with and still pursue their dream
Her message doesn't stop there though. Brittany is a blessed soul. Headlines from newspapers call her "A Gift from God," and "A Musical Miracle," among many other things, and their thoughts are echoed daily by her fans through e-mail she receives. People write to express how her music touches them spiritually and they describe the personal and emotional way it makes them feel closer to and connected with God. Some call her an angel.
Though it may be hard to predict where Brittany’s talent will take her, two things are obvious - her desire to perform and her impact on many. In 2005, The New York Daily News wrote of her: “Brittany is a brilliant testimony to God’s gracious, miraculous presence among us,” then cited her as “perhaps the leading female musical savant in the world.” Then of her demeanor onstage they said she “enchants the crowd with her talent, her body rocking back and forth like the great Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder,” a trademark move that clearly shows her enjoyment when performing.
Rave reviews of Brittany’s music are consistent. Professionals have worked with her and studied her talent for years. Among them, Dr. Scott Price, from USC’s School of Music who stated to Dateline of Brittany’s skills that, “To find all of those qualities housed in one person… we start listing names like Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt….” And the opinion of Dr. Darold Treffert, leading and world renown specialist on savants who says “Brittany does fit the spectacular, rare, musical genius seen in prodigious savants,” and who cites that there are only twenty people in the world with talent such as hers.
Call Brittany Maier an “Angel,” a “Miracle,” a “Gift,” or any other title you feel fits her best. The fact is: she’s inspired millions around the world without saying a word. Her life is meaningful, purposeful, and divinely directed. To speculate on where her talent will take her, or what greatness she will achieve, is almost unnecessary. There is no stopping the power of God, which works its way through and around her, illuminating every audience it reaches. She penetrates the soul, mesmerizes the mind, and captures the heart through her music. Unique and amazing, she is history in the making, unforgettable, and a truly great artist and composer of our time. Welcome to the musical world of the one and only… Brittany Mercedes Maier.
For more information about Brittany Maier:
Message Board | Daily Journal | Embracing A Miracle |
