Kool Spektrum Band

In celebration of developmental disabilities week March 18-22, Brookhaven Learning Center was excited to welcome the Kool Spektrum to play for students and staff. The Kool Spektrum is a group of four adults on the autism spectrum who play rock and roll music under the guidance of Ms. Jessica Gallone and Rock N Roll U, located in Hauppauge, NY. The event was sponsored by the Special Events Committee and coordinated by Mr. Dan Poli, teacher coordinator and Ms. Holly Campanelli, a speech therapist at BLC.

Earlier in March, Michael Graziano, Mark Gaiser, Tommy Guise, and Steven Niciforo met with some of the students at BLC & TSP for a Zoom interview, where the students got to ask the musicians questions about their musical journey as adults on the autism spectrum. The students were excited to learn that one of the band members, Tommy graduated from an Eastern Suffolk BOCES school back in 2018.

During the interview, one of the TSP students, Jeremy Gomez-Portez made a special request for the band to play “Last Train to London” by the Electric Light Orchestra. According to band manager JD, the Kool Spektrum honored his request by learning the song and making sure to play it in each of the four unique performances. It was a very special surprise for Jeremy and all of the students when they heard them play it.

When asked about the concerts, the Kool Spektrum said, “It was such a special experience for every single one of us to be able to play in front of ‘our people. We hope we inspire a lot of kids to go for anything they want to accomplish in life. No matter what anyone else says, the autism spectrum community can accomplish anything we put our mind to & we hope we are some proof that we can all accomplish amazing things!” The band went on to say “Music is for everyone and nothing should stand in the way of the things that bring you joy in life. Rock on!”

Students and staff alike loved watching and dancing along to the amazing rock performance. The Kool Spektrum was truly an inspiration to all! Brookhaven Learning Center looks forward to inviting the band back to play again for them one day soon!

If you would like to learn more about Rock N Roll U in Hauppauge, or the Kool Spektrum band, you may find them on their Facebook Page: Kool Spektrum Band or at, https://link.zixcentral.com/u/cdef5dd5/aN6s6b-q7hGswrPLhnsoMg?u=https%3A%2F%2Frnru.rocks