Bailey has severe autism, and is classified as virtually non-verbal.
But, she recently found her voice...
singing along to "Just the Way You Are".
Bailey has been dancing with the Music Makers, and has been making wonderful friends, through the group. The Music Makers is a group of people, all with a disability, and a love of music and dancing. They perform several times a year, dancing on stage... making audiences smile and bringing audiences to tears.
The group rehearses every Friday night, guided by Melissa and her aunt, Nicole. Melissa saw a need, for the opportunity for people with special needs, to be included in singing and dancing in the Illawarra. And so, she created this group.
Now, the performers have formed friendships, performed in front of huge crowds, raised thousands of dollars and celebrated, through dance.
The parents of the performers have come together, to form strong, honest relationships. They have found a sense of family...
People who understand their daily difficulties and challenges.
People who understand their difficulties, because they have their own versions of the same problems.
When Mum first met these families, she felt immediately connected to the strong, caring, honest, tough and beautiful women.
And, the performers are assisted by some incredible young ladies. Just a few years younger than Melissa, a group of young ladies join the performers, rehearsing and performing with them. Many have a performing sibling. Gently, they guide performers around the stage, helping to keep everything working well. Through the Music Makers, these young ladies have also found family. They have people who understand them, and the challenges they face. Together, these young ladies help the performers, and watch the pride and love of their audiences. They see and feel the love, encouragement and support for their sibling... a sibling with a disability.
There are so many good things, about the Music Makers!
Through the Music Makers, I was able to dance on stage, sitting on Mum's lap. Through the Music Makers, my noisy sister watched me shine on stage... and she loved it, and cheered and cheered.
Through the Music Makers, disabilities are forgotten, and talents are given a real chance to shine.
The Music Makers teach us to love... to accept... to celebrate and cheer.
This video was pulled together, with a few days, notice by the wonderful Melissa. Melissa is the creator and director of the Music Makers.
Bailey's mum said this was the best pre-Christmas present a mum could ever have. Remember, Bailey is non-verbal. She has severe autism.
And, she is a performer!
We are so proud of you, Bailey, and love you... Just the Way You Are.
In 2015, they need a new, larger venue.
Here's what they are asking:
We are raising money to be able to afford to hold our annual Creative Performance Evening fundraiser and concert at Wollongong Entertainment Centre. Our annual show see's over 25 Music Makers, between ages 3 and 40+, majority in the 15-21 age group, live their dreams of performing on stage.
For the past 5 years we've had The Creative Performance Evening at The Shellharbour Club. They have been great in supporting us, but now with upcoming renovations, they are getting rid of their auditorium.
We have great support from Marc Swan, the Manager of Business Development & Marketing, at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre (WEC), but due to the WEC being a much bigger facility, it is going to cost between $10,000 - $15,000 in production costs.
If we don't raise the money, we would need to find a much smaller facility, and we feel that these stars deserve to shine... and they will, at the WEC.
Any big donations/sponsorship can be arranged through Melissa Tierney via email [email protected] or phone 42558072.
Find out more, or contribute to their cause at their "My Cause" page.
Music Makers - 2013 Performance
Read more about the Music Makers
Hear Melissa sing to Dexter
Read more about Melissa and more
Dexter's cerebral palsy classification
A Dexter Day
Today, I just want to be a mum
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