Brackenridge church hosts open mic event for musicians on autism spectrum

Christmas carols and other music filled the social hall Sunday at United Methodist Church in Brackenridge.

All of the performers — about 20 in total — are on the autism spectrum.

The event, hosted by Band Together Pittsburgh and the Autism Society of Pittsburgh, aims to build community through music, said Jesse Torisky, president and CEO of the Autism Society of Pittsburgh.

“This is a very unique event,” he said. “It enables people that are on the spectrum to come to a secure and nonjudgmental venue and perform. They’re surrounded by their friends and family.”

Benj Spencer performed during an open mic event hosted by Band Together Pittsburgh and the Autism Society of Pittsburgh at Trinity United Methodist Church in Brackenridge Sunday. pic.twitter.com/AH5Q0VFWKw

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The nonprofits host open mic events monthly at various locations — though Sunday’s open mic event was special because it doubled as a Christmas party. Some musicians performed Christmas carols, and Ron “Moondog” Esser, co-founder of Band Together Pittsburgh, bought Christmas gifts for those who attended.

Cory Efremenko, 14, of McCandless, played piano and sang “Last Christmas” and “Happy Together.” He said he enjoys the events, and he particularly liked the Christmas theme. He’s been participating in open mic events through Band Together Pittsburgh for about three years, said his mother, Darla.

“I like to do it a lot,” he said of performing.

Not only do events such as this provide a creative outlet for children with autism, but they provide community for them and their families, Darla Efremenko said.

“When you have autism, you’re like in no man’s land,” she said. “Here, we belong.”

Benj Spencer, 26, performed with his guitar. While he enjoys the music, he said the people are his favorite part of such events.

“It’s mostly because of everyone I get to see,” he said.

His father, Greg Spencer, is the pastor of United Methodist Church. The first time he took his son to a Band Together Pittsburgh event, he said, he knew it was an organization where they could find a sense of community and belonging.

“The families were immediately friendly to one another and supported each other and encouraged each other,” he said. “This is what it’s supposed to feel like. Everybody belongs.”

He offered the group space in the church for open mics and other events.

“The idea for us is to try to reach out to the community, create community and give people community in the midst of all the stress and anxiety of today,” Spencer said.

They’re looking to expand the locations where they host such events, he added, in an effort to bring the events to people who might be interested in participating, rather than asking them to travel long distances to try it out.

“Wherever people are, we think if we bring this to them, it makes it accessible,” Spencer said.

All the venues organizers use are donated, said John Vento, co-founder of Band Together Pittsburgh.

These events help people connect with others who share similar experiences, and help bring children and young adults on the autism spectrum out of their shells, Torisky said.

“We have seen since we started this, there are people that get up who would never in a million years get up in front of a group of people, but here, they do it,” Torisky said. “Every time I see this, it makes me feel like we’re doing something good.”

Justin Laus, 27, of Penn Hills has been interested in music since he was about 12, he said after performing Sunday. He’s part of a band called Spectrum, which is made entirely of people on the autism spectrum.

“It impacts a lot of emotions and perspectives when you have a community of people on the autism spectrum,” he said. “Whoever comes and performs, they can just come and have fun.”