PETER NORTON SYMPHONY SPACE SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022 - Daniel's Music Foundation
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PETER NORTON SYMPHONY SPACE SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022
About The Danny Awards
In 2006, Daniel’s Music Foundation was
founded by the Trush Family to fill a void in
NYC. A music program was developed
where individuals with disabilities can freely explore, learn, and celebrate the joy of music
together. Since inception, we have witnessed first-hand the wonderful talents of our musicians
and have provided them with performance opportunities to share their gifts with others. But
we wanted to do more - something that would have an impact beyond the four walls of our
music center in NYC.
To address this important need, in 2020, we created a global award show that showcases and
recognizes the musical talents of individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. The
1st Annual Danny Awards was hosted on March 8, 2020 - just four days before the world shut
down due to the pandemic.
In 2021, we received over 100 video submissions from talented musicians across the globe.
The competition was fierce for the top 10 Award Recipients. In fact, there was a tie for the
#10 spot so we decided to include 11 honorees this year,
along with the 2021 Danny Awards Fan Favorite. With
talented vocalists, instrumentalists, solo artists, bands and
songwriters, the show is going to be amazing. We cannot
wait to share their musical talents with the world. Thank
you for joining us. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Thank You to Our Lead Sponsor
The 2021 Danny Awards is an event that has been two years in the making and would not be
possible without the love and support of so many.
First and foremost, thank you to our long-time friend and Lead Sponsor of The Danny
Awards, René Plessner. Thank you for your commitment to both Daniel’s Music and The
Danny Awards. Your kindness, thoughtfulness and unwavering support is truly appreciated.
Your generosity has helped create the opportunity to celebrate and recognize the musical
talents of individuals with disabilities. We are honored to call you our friend.
Special Thanks To:
The Danny Awards judges for your time, talents, and commitment in selecting our
Award Recipients. You have helped shape the musicians of the future.
Alex Alexander Biti Strauchn
Drummer/Percussionist/Producer/Composer Singer/Songwriter/Arranger/Musician/Vocalist
Alyson Cambridge Jason Kupperman
Singer/Model/Producer/Actor Talent Agent
Kate Ellis Mobley
Singer/Songwriter Singer/Songwriter/Multi-instrumentalist
Dina Fanai Adam Stengel
Artist/Songwriter/Producer Guitarist/Singer/Music Industry Attorney
Bob Kinkel Kitt Wakeley
Co-Creator & Producer: Trans-Siberian Orchestra Songwriter/Composer/Producer
Our Board of Directors, Advisory, Young Professional & Artist Councils, and to our amazing
management team and staff who work tirelessly and passionately - giving us the opportunity
to grow and serve more deserving individuals.
All of our donors and supporters who generously allow us to do what we love and to
continue to expand.
Everyone who submitted a performance video for consideration, thank you for sharing your
musical gifts with us. Welcome to The Danny Awards community and please continue to keep
music in your life.
Everyone here today (both in person and online) for helping make this iconic event possible.
Our Danny Awards Supporting Sponsors:
We are truly grateful for your generosity and support!
LMCC
New York State Council on the Arts
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Show Lineup
Opening Remarks Carla Sullivan,
DMF Marketing & Disability Awareness
Director and Emcee
Smooth The Note-Ables
Welcoming Remarks Daniel & Ken Trush
DMF Co-Founders
I'm Giving In* Shane Michael Taylor
By Knowing You Daniel Trush & Gerry Powers
The Danny Awards Lead Sponsor René Plessner
Aerith's Theme Colton Purcell
The Movement 4 Wheel City
Not Abandoned* George Dennehy
Samba In Nahant Santon
A Little Part of Me Jennifer Msumba
Passacaglia Logan Riman
Shozalosa* Ethembeni Special School
Danny's Song* Anelise Diamond Merrihew
A Million Dreams Wani Benedith
Fan Favorite
Everyday I Have The Blues Jake Nielsen Award Winner
Closing Remarks The Trush Family
50 Million Reasons Daniel Trush & Gerry Powers
*Video Performances
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Meet the 2021
Danny Awards Honorees:
Wani Benedith
Wani is a 14-year-old solo artist from the NY Institute for Special Educa-
tion. Wani is legally blind and wonderfully made. He’s a brother, a
student, a singer, a public speaker and the co-founder of a company
called Braille Code Inc. He’s been singing since he was 6 years old under
the training of Naum Shulman.
George Dennehy
George is a full-time musician and speaker from Richmond, Virginia,
who was born without arms. He was adopted from Romania when he
was just 2 years old. George began playing music at a young age and has
always had a passion for it. Because he does not have arms, he has
learned to do everything with his feet! George is married with a
7-year-old son and believes that anything is possible, and that our biggest
disabilities are the limitations we place on ourselves.
Anelise Diamond Merrihew
Anelise is a bright light in her community. She easily accesses her JOY
and shares it through her love of music. She is a proud State Ambassa-
dor and Officer for Best Buddies, and a true pioneer as the Founder and
President of her high school's first and only fully inclusive music club. Anelise unexpectedly
gained global notoriety in 2020 as she and her family band posted a vast array of musical
performances called The Quarantine Sessions. Her heartfelt intentions were to "bring light to
those who need it," and she is endlessly grateful to those who "feel the love" she's sending out.
Ethembeni School
The Ethembeni School gives HOPE to Physically Disabled and
Visually Impaired learners from all over South Africa. Their goal
is to create highly educated members of society who are proac-
tive, ready and able to make a difference in South Africa. The
name Ethembeni means “Place of Hope” and the motto Phila Ufunde means “Live and
Learn.” Currently, they are helping 250 learners every year in reaching their full potential.
Jennifer Msumba
Jennifer is a songwriter, musician, author and award-winning filmmaker
who has autism. She lives in a residential facility in Florida and besides
music and film, loves fishing and cuddling with her dog Lemonade.
Jennifer also plays keys for her church, and is a member of American
Mensa. Her goal is to one day get her music into film and television.
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Honorees:
Jake Nielsen
Jake is the 2021 Danny Awards Fan Favorite. He is also an international
recording artist born with cerebral palsy who has toured all over North
America with his band Jake Nielsens Triple Threat. He has had some ups
in the music business, but his biggest accomplishment is his beautiful wife
Ashley and two kids Jake and Lily. He loves to inspire kids with disabilities
to reach for the stars and try to do whatever their heart tells them.
The Note-Ables
Founded almost 20 years ago, The Note-Ables is a group of
professional musicians who shatter the stereotype that
people with disabilities have limited talents and abilities. The
group first met in April 1999 when they started jamming and
writing their own songs together. In addition to being
professional and crowd pleasing, the group’s activities have
also increased the visibility of people with disabilities and added to the dynamic arts community
in The Truckee Meadows. With a blend of covers and original songs, the musical style of The
Note-Ables ranges from blues to country to jazz to classic rock.
Colton Purcell
Colton Purcell was born with a rare type of dwarfism called metatropic
dysplasia. Because of this disability, he is unable to reach above his head
and cannot walk more than 10 feet without the aid of a wheelchair.
Despite these trials, he has earned a Bachelor of Music Degree with an
emphasis in Commercial Music from Snow College. Colton has taught
private piano lessons in Mapleton, Utah for two years and is currently pursuing his Master of
Music in Music Technology Degree from Southern Utah University.
Logan Riman
Logan is a classical pianist who has played piano since the age of 2. He
learns all music by ear and has been expanding to other genres of
music. The piano is his best friend. Logan often has difficulties commu-
nicating, but as the famous quote says: “Where words fail, music
speaks.” In 2019, he played a duet with Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden; he has also
played the National Anthem at a NY Rangers game.
Santon
Santon is an award-winning musician who is fully blind from birth
and is autistic. He was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and grew up
in Massachusetts. He began taking piano lessons when he was 3.5
years old. Santon plays the piano and several other instruments, as
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well as composes music. He is an alumnus of Perkins School for the Blind and went on to
graduate from Berklee College of Music, summa cum laude. He performs as a solo pianist,
accompanies singers, and plays piano in the Boston Tango Orchestra. Santon produced 2
albums: “Flavors of the Rainbow” and “Night Animals.” When Santon doesn't play music, he
dances the Argentine tango, does acrobatics on a trapeze, windsurfs, rides a tandem bicycle
with his dad, swims, skis, skates, travels, and fully enjoys life.
Shane Michael Taylor
Shane is an artist, songwriter, author, and motivational speaker,
born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He is now based in Nashville,
Tennessee. Shane uses his life experiences, obstacles, and
triumphs while overcoming his challenges with cerebral palsy to
inspire others with his original music, speeches, and writings. He
earned a college degree in Music Business and began making
frequent visits to Nashville to co-write with prominent Music City
songwriters. Shane is also the author of Living This Rodeo: A
Journey from Fantasy to Reality, which details the journey that led to his career as a country
music artist. He leads a speaking tour that is opening students’ minds across the nation,
empowering them to embrace their passion and believe in themselves - enabling them to
unleash their potential and discover possibilities that await them in the real world.
4 Wheel City
4 Wheel City is a hip-hop group and entertainment
organization started by Namel “Tapwaterz” Norris and
Ricardo “Rickfire” Velasquez. These two talented hip-hop
artists and motivational speakers are in wheelchairs
due to gun violence. Their mission is to use hip-hop
music and culture to create more opportunities for the
disabled and inspire people not to give up in life. In
addition, they want to show the world that people with disabilities can still have talents,
dreams, and deserve to be treated equally. 4 Wheel City performs original music, and they
give motivational speeches at hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, fundraisers, and events
all over the world.
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About Daniel’s Music Foundation
Daniel’s Music Foundation was founded in 2006 to empower individuals with developmen-
tal and physical disabilities through music. Today, we have expanded our programs from one
keyboard class serving five members to serving thousands of individuals - both locally in
NYC at our 8,700 square-foot music center, as well as nationally through the DMF Virtual
Community.
It’s simple when you think about Daniel’s Music. We are about 2 things: Music Programs and
Disability Awareness. Our free and fee-based music programs are available to individuals with
disabilities, both in person and online. Our Disability Awareness platform encompasses
programs and events that help shape a mindset of mutual understanding and respect. Individu-
ally, they are both important. Together, they allow us to help more deserving people and make
a meaningful difference in the world.
As an organization, we believe in inclusion, diversity and the ability of all individuals to creatively
express themselves. We are also passionately committed to changing perception, diminishing
isolation, and providing access to music for individuals with disabilities. To learn more about
Daniel’s Music, visit danielsmusic.org.
Meet The Trush Family
Since 2006, the Trush Family has dedicated their lives to
effectuate positive change and impact through the Music
and Disability Awareness Programs at the Founda-
tion. Their skills and experience have allowed
them, along with the management team
and staff, to create a culture of serving
others: Ken in business, finance and
operations, Nancy as an early childhood teacher, and Michael as a neuropsychologist working
with children, adolescents and adults. And of course, there is Danny…Daniel’s perseverance
to reclaim a meaningful life after one of his five brain aneurysms burst at the age of 12, in
addition to his joyful attitude and personality, has helped to create the spirit of the foundation.
He is the life force that drives DMF and serves as the key ambassador for our mission – and
a living example of acceptance, kindness and joy.
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Our Music Programs
Our Music Center
Our state-of-the-art, custom built music center in East Harlem is where we call home. This
modern, brightly lit, 8,700 square foot barrier-free facility houses 5 music studios, a recording
studio and sound booth, and a fun cafe serving up snacks and beverages, appropriately named
Snackappella.
We offer a variety of in-person music programs for individu-
als with disabilities such as free group classes, field trips for
special education schools and adult day programs, as well as
private music lessons. We invite you to visit danielsmu-
sic.org/music-center-overview to learn more.
Our Virtual Community
Launched in 2020, in response to the global
pandemic, the DMF Virtual Community is a
place where individuals of all abilities can
learn, connect, and celebrate the joy of
music together.
DMF Virtual Live Events are a way to keep us
all connected through music, regardless of
where you live.
Our free DMF On-Demand channel is your destination for fun, educational and interactive
videos. We also offer virtual music lessons at an affordable price. Getting started is easy and the
first 25-minute trial lesson is free.
Whatever you choose, we are happy to have you be part of the DMF Virtual Community, and
we look forward to seeing you online.
Not a member yet? Simply scan the QR code below to get
weekly updates about our virtual live events and new video
releases delivered to your inbox.
Visit danielsmusic.org/virtualcommunity to learn more
- or contact Nadine McNeil at nadine@danielsmusic.org.
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Our Disability Awareness Program
The DMF Just Call Me By My Name Initiative is the umbrella for our
Disability Awareness Programs and is designed to cultivate a mutual
understanding, appreciation, and respect for individuals of all abilities.
Our program, inspired by our personal experiences and our 16 year
history, is designed to break the cycle of labeling and defining individu-
als by their disability.
Through the programs below, we are working together to change the perception of individ-
uals with disabilities - ultimately building a more inclusive society.
Disability Awareness Programs
Our Disability Awareness Program is a 30 to 60-minute
interactive presentation designed for schools, corpora-
tions and organizations that uses storytelling, videos, and
music to help change the perception of individuals with
disabilities. Available both virtually and in person for
groups of 10 or more people, programs can be custom-
ized to best suit the needs of the organization.
DMF Junior Council @ Program
Our DMF Junior Council@ is a partnership program in which high school students form a
club/group at their school and serve as ambassadors on behalf of Daniel’s Music. Council
members collaborate with the foundation
throughout the year to develop volunteer
opportunities, ways to create awareness of our
mission, and fundraise for DMF.
Visit danielsmusic.org/disability-awareness/overview to learn more - or contact
Holly Edwards at holly@danielsmusic.org.
8Thank You for Joining Us Today! If you believe in what we do as an organization, we respectfully request that you consider contributing to Daniel’s Music Foundation. Donations of all sizes are welcomed, needed, and greatly appreciated. Your support will help impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and allow us to use music as the instrument to build a more inclusive society. Simply scan the QR code below or text GIVE at 929.205.7787 to donate. Thank you for your consideration.
See You in
November at the
3rd Annual
Danny Awards!
Daniel’s Music Foundation | 1595 Lexington Avenue, 2nd floor
New York, NY 10029 | 212.289.8912 | danielsmusic.orgYou can also read
