Simona Freed

Location: New York, NY

Challenge: Autism

Website: instagram.com/publictransitfairy/

Simona Freed started music at age 5. She recently graduated from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in New York City and has autism. She plays piano, sings, plays some guitar and writes her own songs. She describes her genre as folk or singer-based indie music.

She originally didn't like sitting down to take lessons but had one teacher A jazz pianist who helped her at age 11. The approach was more improve-based - what do we want to do and how do we get there. And you could work on things that were of interest to you, and goals that you set. Some of the songs she liked and learned to play were "Moonlight Sonata", "Gymnoepie 1" and currently she is working on the song, "Maple Leaf Rag."

Some of her influences are Joni Mitchell and Phoebe Bridgers. Her mom said when she was really young she'd get strapped into the car seat and would listen to music for hours.

One of her goals is to inspire autistic girls in the music industry. She was also a member of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Concert Ensemble. She plays at local events and cafes.