Arizona Clarinet Player, Who is Blind and Autistic, plays National Anthem for Atlanta Hawks
MESA, Ariz. – A Mesa clarinet player, who’s blind and autistic, recently got the chance to live out his dream by playing the National Anthem at a major sporting event for the Atlanta Hawks.
21-year-old Joe Giacinto spoke with 12News, sharing more on how it all happened and his message for others aspiring to learn.
Giacinto was recorded playing the National Anthem before the Park University Buccaneers Women’s basketball home opener against Nelson in gilbert.
The caption on the video said, “His dream is to play the National Anthem at a major sporting event.”
“They posted video on Instagram, and it now has more than 2 million views,” said Giacinto.
That video has now reached more than 2.3 million views.
“It’s crazy,” he said. “It means a lot that so many people are inspired.”
NBA star Dominique Wilkins saw the video and flew him out from Phoenix to Atlanta to play the national anthem at an Atlanta Hawks game.
“It was amazing,” said Giacinto. “I’ve never been to Atlanta, so I was very blessed to have my mom come along with… a huge thanks to KultureCity.”
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And while we’re all still in awe at how talented he is, he’s still amazed by the popularity he’s gained so quickly.
“It is indeed wild,” said Giacinto. “I was not expecting this.”
He shared the thrill of it all – living out his dream.
“Yeah,because my family grew up listening to sports,” he said. “My mom used to play basketball, high school and through college… my brothers currently play football.”
And so, Giacinto said this was his chance to get out there and do his part.
For others out there aspiring to play?
“If they try and put the effort in, they got this,” he said.
Giacinto is encouraging you to live out your dream, too.
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