FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Musical Savant Brittany Maier to Perform at O’Laughlin Auditorium
Media contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4579
January 19, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—The Shaheen Performing Arts Series and the Office of Special Events at Saint Mary's College proudly announce that musical savant Brittany Maier will return to South Bend to perform at O’Laughlin Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15.
Maier, 21, was born four months premature, weighing only a pound and five ounces. Even though she was diagnosed blind, autistic, and mentally disabled, she began playing Franz Schubert's Ave Maria on a toy piano at age six. She has an amazing ability to duplicate a song after having heard it just a few times. At age 10, after receiving formal music instruction at the University of South Carolina's School of Music, Maier began composing her own original songs, and she released her first album 20/20 when she was just 12 years old.
“A mother’s love is a special gift from God. What a moment it must have been to hear a young Brittany play Ave Maria in discovery of her miraculous gift. We are honored to have Brittany, her mother, and her grandmother visit O’Laughlin as they share the legacy of their love for Brittany. We are blessed that Brittany will be sharing her musical gift with Saint Mary’s College,” said Richard Baxter, director of the Office of Special Events.
Maier is known nationally and internationally. When she moved to New York in 2005 the national media quickly found out about her. She appeared in on Dateline NBC and that same year the New York Daily News wrote of her, “Brittany is a brilliant testimony to God’s gracious, miraculous presence among us,” and cited her as “perhaps the leading female musical savant in the world.” In 2006, Maier was featured on CNN’s Paula Zahn - Now! and on the Montel Williams Show, where she performed an original song, Tears For My Country, dedicated to the lives lost in the September 11th tragedy. In December 2006, at age 17, Maier released her second CD, titled A World of My Own. In 2007, she was invited to Germany where she performed Elton John's Candle In The Wind on a live variety show that was broadcast to seven European countries. Her story continues to inspire more and more people around the world.
Maier is a motivational performer, playing her music for audiences at schools, colleges, and conferences. She educates them without saying a word, demonstrating how people can overcome obstacles in life and pursue their dreams. Those wishing to see her perform at Saint Mary’s College can order tickets at www.moreaucenter.com.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.