Autism and music – Autism Unity

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Talents Without Limits

Music & Autism

Music brings together rhythm, sound, memory, and emotion. Learning an instrument or performing can build focus, discipline, and confidence, while offering a powerful outlet for self-expression.

For autistic people, music can offer structure through pattern and repetition, a rich sensory experience, and a way to communicate feelings and ideas that can be difficult to put into words.

Music can also create connection with family, friends, and audiences, while opening doors to performance, collaboration, and lifelong opportunities.

Meet the Creators

Autistic Music Creators

We want this page to grow into a collection of autistic musicians, composers, performers, and producers who share their talent through music.

Featured Creator

Santon

Santon Music

Malden, MA, USA

Santon is an award-winning musician who has been blind from birth and is autistic. Born in 1991 in St. Petersburg, Russia, he moved with his family to Malden, Massachusetts at 18 months old. Showing musicality at an early age, he began piano lessons at 3.5 years old and now plays piano, violin, bandoneon, and several other instruments across multiple genres.

Santon is an alumnus of the Perkins School for the Blind. As a member of the Perkins Trio, he performed with Orleans, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, Peter Wolf, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, and Natalie Merchant. In 2014, he graduated from the Berklee College of Music, summa cum laude.

Santon performs as a solo pianist, accompanies singers, and plays piano in the Boston Tango Orchestra, in addition to composing his own music. He has performed at venues including Boston Symphony Hall, the Berklee Performance Center, and the Shalin Liu Performance Center, and has traveled across the country to perform solo and with his music partners. He has produced two albums, "Flavors of the Rainbow" and "Night Animals."

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