Many individuals with Williams syndrome have a strong affinity for music, but some demonstrate extraordinary abilities that are far in excess of what would be considered typical. These individuals, commonly known as savants, have been known to achieve astonishing accomplishments in such areas as music and art.
Gloria Lenhoff, now 60 years old, is an amazing soprano singer who has Williams syndrome. She can sing nearly 2,500 songs in more than 30 different languages, amazingly all in a perfect accent. She has collaborated with various world class symphonies and other popular bands including Aerosmith.
The video to the right is a short clip displaying Gloria's amazing tone and vocal range. As you can see, the joy that music brings to her is clearly evident. |
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Below is a quote from David Amos, the conductor of the San Diego Master Chorale:
"When I first heard Gloria Lenhoff singing, I was impressed not only with the accuracy of her performance, but also by her musicality and enthusiasm. This was reinforced when I led the orchestra in a rehearsal with her. Not only was she fully prepared, and she was flexible in adjusting to the accompaniment of a full symphony and my baton, but she was assertive to the point of stopping me and suggesting different tempos, and alternative endings to the various songs. She was an inspiration to me and to TICO [Community Orchestra of San Diego].”
Comments on the Musical Potential of People with WIlliams Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2015, from https://williams-syndrome.org/educational-resources/comments-musical-potential-people-williams-syndrome
"When I first heard Gloria Lenhoff singing, I was impressed not only with the accuracy of her performance, but also by her musicality and enthusiasm. This was reinforced when I led the orchestra in a rehearsal with her. Not only was she fully prepared, and she was flexible in adjusting to the accompaniment of a full symphony and my baton, but she was assertive to the point of stopping me and suggesting different tempos, and alternative endings to the various songs. She was an inspiration to me and to TICO [Community Orchestra of San Diego].”
Comments on the Musical Potential of People with WIlliams Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2015, from https://williams-syndrome.org/educational-resources/comments-musical-potential-people-williams-syndrome