Piano Performer Magazine GENERATION Z: JACOB VELAZQUEZ
Interview by Alex Davydovich (MGBH)
Jacob Velazquez (MGBH) from Miami, FL comes with a special and unique story. Around the same time his family discovered his talent, they also learned about his autism spectrum. Instead of feeding the Darkness, they chose to feed the Light. With many studies indicating that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) respond well to music, the family decided to use Jacob’s diagnosis as an opportunity to inspire others. Jacob frequently talks about autism during his performances and interviews, gives concerts dedicated to this charitable cause, and simply embodies the idea of making lemonade out of lemons.
We interviewed Jacob (in black), his mother Tina (MGBH) (in blue), and his father William (MGBH) (in brown) for the magazine. And here is what they had to say.
Piano Performer Magazine (PPM): Jacob, do you play piano every day?
Jacob Velazquez (JV): I take lessons two days per week with my teacher and i practice most other days with my dad.
PPM: What are your hobbies?
JV: My hobbies are playing drums, playing outside, watching TV and reading books.
PPM: What are your favorite toys and games do you like to play with?
JV: My favorite toy right now is my Elf on the Shelf. He’s not really a toy because he comes alive at night and moves around the house. My favorite game to play is chess.
PPM: Do you go to a traditional school or are you home schooled?
JV: I go to a traditional public school.
PPM: What music are you currently working on?
JV: I’m working on the Hayden (OBM) Concerto in D Major, Fantaisie-Impromptu by Chopin (OBM), and a Christmas medley I’m doing for a fundraiser for Autism Speaks.
PPM: How did you decide to record your first album?
JV: We met with a music producer Hal Batt (MGBH) when I was six. He came up with a concept and we decided to record it.
PPM: Do you play piano for your schoolmates?
JV: Yes, sometimes.
I would love to work with Taylor Swift (MGBH), Bruno Mars (MGBH), Yanni (MGBH), Joh Katodo (MGBH), a drummer from Australia, and The Miami Symphony Orchestra.
PPM: What musicians do you dream of working with?
JV: I would love to work with Taylor Swift (MGBH), Bruno Mars (MGBH), Yanni (MGBH), Joh Katodo (MGBH), a drummer from Australia, and The Miami Symphony Orchestra.
PPM: How long does it take you to memorize one page of music?
JV: One to a few days depending how difficult the piece is.
PPM: Who and at what age taught you to read music?
JV: My first teacher, Ms. Jaffird (MGBH), taught me to read music when I was 4 years old.
PPM: Do you write your own music?
JV: I’m not writing yet, but I like to improvise.
PPM: What are your biggest challenges when it comes to piano and piano performance and how do you overcome them?
JV: My biggest challenge with piano is mastering my technique. I just have keep practicing and try to remember the things my teacher tells me.
PPM: Have you ever been nervous on stage? If so, how did you handle it?
JV: I don’t get nervous on stage. It’s not scary, its just fun!
PPM: How do you use your imagination when performing on stage or recording your music?
JV: I use my imagination to be enthusiastic and funny. I like to entertain people.
PPM: Do you have siblings? If so, please, tell the readers a little bit about them.
JV: I have a little sister named Skylar (MGBH). She’s 4 years old, and she likes to be like me. She just started taking piano lessons. She also likes to dance and sing. I have two older brothers. Brandon (MGBH) is 23, lives in California and works for the Coast Guard. He loves music and dancing and he’s a really great D.J. Tyler (MGBH) is 21. He goes to college at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. He plays piano, too, and also loves to dance.
PPM: Tina, we know that for children to be successful, it is important for parents to keep on top of things. What does it take to be a mother of a talented child pianist?
Tina Velazquez (TV): I don’t think what I do is much different than most other parents; scheduling their child’s after school activities, running them here and there, encouraging them to do their best, making sure their lives are balanced between school, play, homework, extra curricular activities etc.
PPM: Who maintains Jacob’s website, takes calls from reporters, manages Jacob’s performance life?
TV: My husband and I have worked on the website together however I am the one who maintains it for the most part. I’ll typically screen the initial call to find out what they’re looking for. When Jacob was younger, say 5 and 6 years old, he didn’t do much talking it was mostly just about performing. Now he loves talking to reporters and anyone else who will listen! I filter all of the initial inquiries through Jacob’s webpage and social media. My husband and I always make the final decision together based on what we feel is best for Jacob. Willie and I work with Jacob to manage all aspects of his performances.
PPM: Do you have a job outside being the boss and the nurturer of your household?
TV: I volunteer in my daughter’s preschool classroom, however, my family takes up most of my time.
PPM: Can’t avoid this question: how did you start talking to Jacob about his diagnosis?
TV: I decided to start talking to him about it when he was about 5 years old. At that time I felt he could understand & wanted him to here it from me. I got some children’s books that explained autism from his counselor at The Center for Autism & Related Disabilities. We talked about how a person with autism’s brain worked a little differently than someone without autism, and how that made them unique. I also showed him a quote from Taylor Swift “If you’re lucky enough to be different, don’t ever change.” I continue talking to him about it whenever I feel it’s necessary.
PPM: What is your message to other families with autistic children?
TV: Millions of families this year will receive the news that their child is on the autism spectrum. These families have two choices at that point, in my opinion. 1) Let this diagnosis take away your hope for your child’s future; or 2) let this be a driving force and fight to ensure your child will become anything and everything they deserve to be in this life. As a member of the autism community, I feel drawn and responsible to encourage my fellow families to put their focus on the things their child can do, rather than the things they cannot.
PPM: And under what circumstances did Jacob decide that he would take on upon himself to represent and inspire the children with autism through his performance?
TV: It’s kind of funny because when you talk with Jacob, you can get the sense that he’s not really listening. He’s usually jumping on/off the couch or making drum beats on the table. I wasn’t even sure if he heard or grasped some of the things I discussed with him about autism, until he began talking about it during a performance. He pretty much reiterated everything I had been telling him. He got a great response from the crowd and has been talking about it ever since.
PPM: Do you speak with Jacob about fame and success and what it means in the real world?
TV: Jacob and I often talk about how everyone has their own talents and things that they excel at while, at the same time, we all have things we struggle with. Jacob happens to be gifted musically which, along with his hard work, has opened the doors for him to travel to a lot of fun places and meet some great people.
PPM: What tools are you equipping him with to handle the potentials flip side of fame?
TV: With each event, my husband, and I always try to prepare Jacob based on what we are expecting him to be presented with. With that being said, Jacob is blessed with a very humble disposition. He truly cares about others and is the first to notice and celebrate the successes of friends, family and fellow musicians. Jacob gives sincere words of approval to others when they are practicing. He loves when people cheer for him, not so much because he is proud of himself, but because he is truly pleased that listening to his music has made them happy. We’ve witnessed him step back to allow fellow performers to get praise. This is how Jacob sees himself in relation to others with regard to his music.
PPM: How do you manage balancing his professional career at such early age with being a kid?
TV: Being a kid is Jacobs #1 job. We have turned down events before because he had a friend’s birthday party to attend just needed some down time. I am Jacob’s mom, his advocate, and his biggest fan. My husband and I manage all aspects of his life. We wouldn’t give up this control because no one will ever truly consider Jacob’s best interest the way we will.
Being a kid is Jacobs #1 job. We have turned down events before because he had a friend’s birthday party to attend just needed some down time.
PPM: William, from video interviews we know that you play piano, and Jacob has been hearing you play since he was a little baby. Are you a professional pianist? Where did you get your training?
William Velazquez: I very much enjoy playing the piano, however, I am not a professional pianist. I began playing when I was 7 years old on an organ we had in the house. Soon after I attended a local piano school, and at 10 years old I attended a conservatory school of music for 2 years. Afterwards, I had private lessons at my parents house for several years. In high school I played keyboard in a band we named Excelle. We played local gigs in the New York area.
PPM: When your family discovered Jacob’s talent, did he ask for lessons? How did things progress from that moment on?
WV: At the time we noticed Jacob’s ability he was very speech delayed, but we felt he would benefit from piano lessons. At first, it was difficult finding someone willing to teach a 4 year old, but, fortunately, we found someone, and Jacob began training with her. I have also taught Jacob a few short pieces.
PPM: Do you participate in your son’s “piano life” (recordings, practice, performances) or if it mostly a responsibility of your wife?
WV: I enjoy practicing with Jacob and playing for him as well. He and I have worked on a few medleys together. I recently worked with him on the National Anthem, which he performed at the American Airlines Arena for the Miami Heat game. I was also very involved with his album and his concerts.
Being on the autism spectrum, Jacob has struggled with his emotions. I think music is helping him express his own emotions as well as better understanding others.
PPM: How do you think Jacob’s piano life helps in building his character?
WV: Being on the autism spectrum, Jacob has struggled with his emotions. I think music is helping him express his own emotions as well as better understanding others.
PPM: What is the most surprising thing you learned about your son through the piano discovering journey?
WV: I am amazed of how much he has progressed in such a short period of time, and how quickly he is able to memorize a piano piece regardless of the size. I also recently discovered that Jacob has perfect pitch, which means he can identify notes and chords being played on the piano without looking.
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