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She is not a typical young girl. Gina has autism, but that is not stopping her from following her dreams. "I want to be a rock star," Gina said while she was waiting to perform at the Back-2-School, Back-2-Health event in Orlando July 25 with her mother, Michelle, father Dwayne, sister Alexis (Lexi), grandfather Mort Mescall and other family members.
That day will always be special to Gina. Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty and 3rd District Commissioner Mildred Fernandez proclaimed July 25 "Gina Marie Incandela Day" stating that "despite an early diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder, [Gina] exceeded all expectations and defied odds." The proclamation continued to acknowledge that Gina and her parents "worked very hard over the past few years to reach all the social and developmental goals set out for her, and after numerous occupational, speech, language and behavioral therapies, and with the loving support of her family, she has established herself as a vocal star."
Gina is best known for her National Anthem performances at the Orlando Magic games. She gained international recognition with her penetrating rendition at the recent NBA playoff games in the Amway Arena. "Gina Marie captured our collective hearts," Magic Vice-President of Communications and team spokesperson Joel Glass said. "She is absolutely remarkable and truly inspirational to everyone in the Magic family. While serving as the Magic good luck charm, she brought attention to autism and it is our hope that in ways big and small she provided her contagious inspiration to others."
Gina said that performing in front of 30,000 people is exciting for her. "When I sing the National Anthem, I feel like everyone is with me on the stage," she said. Mescall added that Gina will not even perform in small crowds. "If there is a group of eight people, Gina won't sing. But give her a packed stadium and she will sing her heart out."
Following her dreams, Gina is working on a collaboration album that will help benefit The Miracle Project and "is less about research and the cure and more about working to improve the quality of life for children and families with autism living today and applying the transformational techniques inherent in theater to bring out the ability within the disability," Diane Isaacs, executive producer of the project said.
The album, "Fly: Into the World of Autism," features the voices of children with autism. Several well-known artists will be contributing to the effort including Chaka Khan, Stephen Stills and Drew Seeley. Gina will also contribute to the song "Make Some Music" which features Seeley on lead vocals. Isaac's own autistic son, Wyatt, will sing a song with Jack Black featuring Stills on guitar.
Gina's part of the duet with Khan, "Butterfly," was recorded in her sister's room. It's a song about a young child who will emerge as a butterfly in her own time. Jason Lucas, wrote and produced the song and traveled from Los Angeles to Orlando, bringing with him the full, mobile recording equipment. "We were surrounded by stuffed animals and walls painted with cartoon characters, like a little wonderland," Lucas said. "I set up the studio on a children's tea party table and sat on a tiny plastic chair
"Gina would come in and record fifteen minute sessions with me for 2 days. She would step in like a professional, put on her headphones and just do it. Gina did not need two bars of introduction, just a few words. She was very well -rehearsed, thanks to her Mom and family, who provide a very supportive, progressive, yet normal environment."
Lucas described Gina as "a very happy, warm and loving youngster, who is a joy to hang out with." He recalled that Gina "memorized the string names on my guitar having heard them named one time. Two hours later, Michelle, her mother, asked her to name the strings and with very little hesitation and no flaws, she did." "When I first heard about Gina, I knew she had to sing on "Fly: Into the World of Autism" because she flies and redefines the common perception about what a child with autism can do," Isaacs said. "She is a shooting star, as are many of our other child singers. It is a celebration of the many voices of autism to open eyes, ears and hearts to this diagnosis."
The album is scheduled to be released this fall. Updates will be available at ginachildperformer.com/ and at www.themiracleproject.org/. Other celebrity contributors to the project include Rev. Run (from MTV's Runs House and Run DMC) , Ben Vereen, Babyface, Gary Cole and several others.
Gina was first diagnosed with autism when she was two years-old; however, her parents were not sure this diagnosis was correct because they were not familiar with the symptoms. Gina was unable to speak and did not associate with other children well. She would become frustrated and angry because she could not communicate the way she wanted to. Things seemed to be getting worse and not better. The Incandela's soon realized that what they had dismissed as "behavioral quirks" were actually symptoms of autism.
Gina received treatment at UCP of Central Florida from age two through five. She now attends a private school in Kissimmee. "We believe that the early diagnosis and early intervention along with the family support were crucial to her success," Michelle added.
Now, at age seven, Gina "works hard every day to function in a world which she perceives much differently than most," Michelle said. She explained that "through music therapy, Gina's speech improved and through speech therapy, her singing improved and it has brought her full circle."
"Gina does not really know that she has autism," Michelle said. "We have tried to explain it to her, but I don't think she is yet able to see those differences between herself and the other kids. If you ask her whether or not she is different from the other kids she will say 'Yes, I sing really good.' She sees her musical ability as the trait which makes her unique and not her autism."
Autism is a neurological disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life. The illness impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Those with autism may exhibit repeated body movements, unusual responses to other people, attachments to certain objects and have an aversion to any changes in routine activities. There is currently no cure for autism, but the illness is treatable. Donna Lorman, president of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando (http://www.asgo.org/), said that "Gina always amazes me and reminds me of the possibilities."
Donna Helsel, board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Orlando (http://www.namigo.org/), heard Gina perform at the opening of the Central Florida Behavioral Hospital. "She is fantastic," Helsel said. "She is a wonderful example that early intervention and treatment works."
Gina has performed the National Anthem more than fifty times locally and across the country. In addition to opening for the Orlando Magic, she has appeared at Shea Stadium in New York, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and was also a guest on the Today Show. Recently, Gina was asked to return to New York for the US Open Tennis Championship on Labor Day weekend. Topping off her busy schedule, Gina is also working on new recordings of her own that will be available in various formats.
It's difficult to know what the future holds for Gina and her family, but Michelle explained that our plans are to support Gina and her dreams. We want both our girls to ultimately do what takes them happy in life and will do whatever we can to support them in their endeavors. Gina's career choice might change but, hopefully whatever she does it will be something that she loves."
Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs is hosting the 5th annual Orlando Walk Now for Autism fund raising event on November 14. For further information, visit www.walknowforautism.org/orlando.
Additional photos of Gina can be viewed at www.bvphoto.net/musicians
Gina Marie Incandela, the petite 7-year-old sensation who blessed the spectators at the Orlando Magic playoff games, is poised to move forward with her musical aspirations.
She is not a typical young girl. Gina has autism, but that is not stopping her from following her dreams. "I want to be a rock star," Gina said while she was waiting to perform at the Back-2-School, Back-2-Health event in Orlando July 25 with her mother, Michelle, father Dwayne, sister Alexis (Lexi), grandfather Mort Mescall and other family members.
That day will always be special to Gina. Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty and 3rd District Commissioner Mildred Fernandez proclaimed July 25 "Gina Marie Incandela Day" stating that "despite an early diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder, [Gina] exceeded all expectations and defied odds." The proclamation continued to acknowledge that Gina and her parents "worked very hard over the past few years to reach all the social and developmental goals set out for her, and after numerous occupational, speech, language and behavioral therapies, and with the loving support of her family, she has established herself as a vocal star."
Gina is best known for her National Anthem performances at the Orlando Magic games. She gained international recognition with her penetrating rendition at the recent NBA playoff games in the Amway Arena. "Gina Marie captured our collective hearts," Magic Vice-President of Communications and team spokesperson Joel Glass said. "She is absolutely remarkable and truly inspirational to everyone in the Magic family. While serving as the Magic good luck charm, she brought attention to autism and it is our hope that in ways big and small she provided her contagious inspiration to others."
Gina said that performing in front of 30,000 people is exciting for her. "When I sing the National Anthem, I feel like everyone is with me on the stage," she said. Mescall added that Gina will not even perform in small crowds. "If there is a group of eight people, Gina won't sing. But give her a packed stadium and she will sing her heart out."
Following her dreams, Gina is working on a collaboration album that will help benefit The Miracle Project and "is less about research and the cure and more about working to improve the quality of life for children and families with autism living today and applying the transformational techniques inherent in theater to bring out the ability within the disability," Diane Isaacs, executive producer of the project said.
The album, "Fly: Into the World of Autism," features the voices of children with autism. Several well-known artists will be contributing to the effort including Chaka Khan, Stephen Stills and Drew Seeley. Gina will also contribute to the song "Make Some Music" which features Seeley on lead vocals. Isaac's own autistic son, Wyatt, will sing a song with Jack Black featuring Stills on guitar.
Gina's part of the duet with Khan, "Butterfly," was recorded in her sister's room. It's a song about a young child who will emerge as a butterfly in her own time. Jason Lucas, wrote and produced the song and traveled from Los Angeles to Orlando, bringing with him the full, mobile recording equipment. "We were surrounded by stuffed animals and walls painted with cartoon characters, like a little wonderland," Lucas said. "I set up the studio on a children's tea party table and sat on a tiny plastic chair
"Gina would come in and record fifteen minute sessions with me for 2 days. She would step in like a professional, put on her headphones and just do it. Gina did not need two bars of introduction, just a few words. She was very well -rehearsed, thanks to her Mom and family, who provide a very supportive, progressive, yet normal environment."
Lucas described Gina as "a very happy, warm and loving youngster, who is a joy to hang out with." He recalled that Gina "memorized the string names on my guitar having heard them named one time. Two hours later, Michelle, her mother, asked her to name the strings and with very little hesitation and no flaws, she did." "When I first heard about Gina, I knew she had to sing on "Fly: Into the World of Autism" because she flies and redefines the common perception about what a child with autism can do," Isaacs said. "She is a shooting star, as are many of our other child singers. It is a celebration of the many voices of autism to open eyes, ears and hearts to this diagnosis."
The album is scheduled to be released this fall. Updates will be available at ginachildperformer.com/ and at www.themiracleproject.org/. Other celebrity contributors to the project include Rev. Run (from MTV's Runs House and Run DMC) , Ben Vereen, Babyface, Gary Cole and several others.
Gina was first diagnosed with autism when she was two years-old; however, her parents were not sure this diagnosis was correct because they were not familiar with the symptoms. Gina was unable to speak and did not associate with other children well. She would become frustrated and angry because she could not communicate the way she wanted to. Things seemed to be getting worse and not better. The Incandela's soon realized that what they had dismissed as "behavioral quirks" were actually symptoms of autism.
Gina received treatment at UCP of Central Florida from age two through five. She now attends a private school in Kissimmee. "We believe that the early diagnosis and early intervention along with the family support were crucial to her success," Michelle added.
Now, at age seven, Gina "works hard every day to function in a world which she perceives much differently than most," Michelle said. She explained that "through music therapy, Gina's speech improved and through speech therapy, her singing improved and it has brought her full circle."
"Gina does not really know that she has autism," Michelle said. "We have tried to explain it to her, but I don't think she is yet able to see those differences between herself and the other kids. If you ask her whether or not she is different from the other kids she will say 'Yes, I sing really good.' She sees her musical ability as the trait which makes her unique and not her autism."
Autism is a neurological disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life. The illness impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Those with autism may exhibit repeated body movements, unusual responses to other people, attachments to certain objects and have an aversion to any changes in routine activities. There is currently no cure for autism, but the illness is treatable. Donna Lorman, president of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando (http://www.asgo.org/), said that "Gina always amazes me and reminds me of the possibilities."
Donna Helsel, board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Orlando (http://www.namigo.org/), heard Gina perform at the opening of the Central Florida Behavioral Hospital. "She is fantastic," Helsel said. "She is a wonderful example that early intervention and treatment works."
Gina has performed the National Anthem more than fifty times locally and across the country. In addition to opening for the Orlando Magic, she has appeared at Shea Stadium in New York, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and was also a guest on the Today Show. Recently, Gina was asked to return to New York for the US Open Tennis Championship on Labor Day weekend. Topping off her busy schedule, Gina is also working on new recordings of her own that will be available in various formats.
It's difficult to know what the future holds for Gina and her family, but Michelle explained that our plans are to support Gina and her dreams. We want both our girls to ultimately do what takes them happy in life and will do whatever we can to support them in their endeavors. Gina's career choice might change but, hopefully whatever she does it will be something that she loves."
Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs is hosting the 5th annual Orlando Walk Now for Autism fund raising event on November 14. For further information, visit www.walknowforautism.org/orlando.
Additional photos of Gina can be viewed at www.bvphoto.net/musicians
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