AGXStarseed
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BEAT OF MY DRUM: Autistic Dundee teenager who was battered and tormented because he was ‘weird’ overcomes bullying to launch career as drummer
Ciaran Osterberg took refuge in music rather than defend himself against attackers - now he's got a place at one of the top music schools in the world
He learned to play the drums as he took refuge from bullies at school
AN AUTISTIC teenager who was battered and tormented every day by school bullies because he was “weird” is on the cusp of a career as a professional drummer.
Ciaran Osterberg, 18, from Dundee, refused to defend himself against his attackers because his condition prevented him from breaking rules.
Instead the gentle young man took refuge in his school’s music department at lunch times, where his keen mind thrived as he skilfully mastered several musical instruments.
He quickly learned piano and was told he had perfect pitch – but the “reclusive” lad truly came alive when he thrummed out beats on a drum kit.
Now, after being rejected from music schools across the UK, Ciaran has received an email inviting him to join one of the top creative colleges in America.
The letter from college bosses brought Ciaran to tears
Quiet Ciaran couldn’t contain his joy when he received the email
If he and proud mum Christina can raise enough funds, he will begin a course at Berklee College of Music in Boston in September.
Ciaran said: “I was quite literally crying, I couldn’t believe it when I was reading it – I thought I was dreaming.”
The news comes as vindication for Ciaran, whose school life was uprooted several times as cruel classmates tormented him because of his autism, which is thought to affect over 50,000 people in Scotland.
Mum Christina said: “He was physically kicked, punched and tormented every day. He was excluded from things, they called him weird.
“The school’s rule was you don’t use your hands so he would never physically defend himself and often children physically smaller than him would beat him up.
“He moved schools a couple of times, which is a shame because he’s a perfect pupil.”
She continued: “He wanted to know why he was different, why people didn’t like him and why he couldn’t understand certain things. Because of his autism, he din’t understand why his friends didn’t always follow the rules, and that would annoy them.
“The bullying did continue into high school but the school were quite good of finding ways of occupying him so he wasn’t left to fend for himself – that’s how he found music.
“He was let in during breaks and at lunch time and took to it very naturally. He doesn’t like me to say he’s talented or gifted because he thinks everyone could succeed if they put in the same work.”
Doctors were unable to diagnose Ciaran’s autism until he was age 12 – but Christina says she always suspected.
The loving mum has been his biggest champion and watch music transform him from a quiet soul to a vibrant performer – particularly when he tackles his favourite genre, jazz.
Christine said: “It has changed him – not overnight. But we’ve watched this child who at one point was depressed and reclusive turn into a vibrant, confident, able ,entertaining child.
“He smiled lots when he was small but the bullying took such a toll he lost his smile for a long time. Now when he plays he makes the most amazing faces.”
Master jazz drummers from Peter Erskine to Antonio Sanchez have all inspired Ciaran to keep performing.
But it was Quincy Jones who had the biggest impact on him, after hearing about his personal story.
Ciaran said: “He [Jones] came from a family of nothing, started learning trumpet when he was 12 and got lessons from Clark Terry – who also came from nothing.
“He had many people in their time against him learning jazz. But if you wanted to learn jazz in that time, you had to convince the old masters to teach you.”
He continued: “Jones asked for lessons and got up early before school. It’s the hard work and determination. That’s my biggest inspiration and everything he has to face in those times, it didn’t let him stop him. He never gave up on his dream and is now one of the most recognised musicians in the world.
“I think I’ve overcome a lot myself. I’ve always felt that because I am autistic I struggled with doing things as well as other people and that I wasn’t as capable.
“Getting into Berklee made me realise my autism doesn’t need to hold me back. If I want something bad enough, I can go out and get it just like anyone else.”
While Ciaran was delighted to receive a £13,000 scholarship to the esteemed music school, he has launched a GoFundMe page to raise cash for future tuition fees and living expenses abroad.
He has raised over £1,000 – but needs an eye-watering £44,000 per year, which he hopes to meet with the help of further scholarship applications.
Christine added: “We’re still applying for scholarships including one from the Latin Grammys. But he’s been turned down by a lot of places in the UK.
“I’ve written to supermarkets and local autistic charities, everyone we can think of – and I’ve been spamming Oprah on Twitter.
“I’ll do a sponsored head shave if that’s what it takes, it’s his dream.”
To support Ciaran you can visit his GoFundMe page here.
Source: Autistic Scots teen overcomes horrific bully torment to become top drummer
BEAT OF MY DRUM: Autistic Dundee teenager who was battered and tormented because he was ‘weird’ overcomes bullying to launch career as drummer
Ciaran Osterberg took refuge in music rather than defend himself against attackers - now he's got a place at one of the top music schools in the world
He learned to play the drums as he took refuge from bullies at school
AN AUTISTIC teenager who was battered and tormented every day by school bullies because he was “weird” is on the cusp of a career as a professional drummer.
Ciaran Osterberg, 18, from Dundee, refused to defend himself against his attackers because his condition prevented him from breaking rules.
Instead the gentle young man took refuge in his school’s music department at lunch times, where his keen mind thrived as he skilfully mastered several musical instruments.
He quickly learned piano and was told he had perfect pitch – but the “reclusive” lad truly came alive when he thrummed out beats on a drum kit.
Now, after being rejected from music schools across the UK, Ciaran has received an email inviting him to join one of the top creative colleges in America.
The letter from college bosses brought Ciaran to tears
Quiet Ciaran couldn’t contain his joy when he received the email
If he and proud mum Christina can raise enough funds, he will begin a course at Berklee College of Music in Boston in September.
Ciaran said: “I was quite literally crying, I couldn’t believe it when I was reading it – I thought I was dreaming.”
The news comes as vindication for Ciaran, whose school life was uprooted several times as cruel classmates tormented him because of his autism, which is thought to affect over 50,000 people in Scotland.
Mum Christina said: “He was physically kicked, punched and tormented every day. He was excluded from things, they called him weird.
“The school’s rule was you don’t use your hands so he would never physically defend himself and often children physically smaller than him would beat him up.
“He moved schools a couple of times, which is a shame because he’s a perfect pupil.”
She continued: “He wanted to know why he was different, why people didn’t like him and why he couldn’t understand certain things. Because of his autism, he din’t understand why his friends didn’t always follow the rules, and that would annoy them.
“The bullying did continue into high school but the school were quite good of finding ways of occupying him so he wasn’t left to fend for himself – that’s how he found music.
“He was let in during breaks and at lunch time and took to it very naturally. He doesn’t like me to say he’s talented or gifted because he thinks everyone could succeed if they put in the same work.”
Doctors were unable to diagnose Ciaran’s autism until he was age 12 – but Christina says she always suspected.
The loving mum has been his biggest champion and watch music transform him from a quiet soul to a vibrant performer – particularly when he tackles his favourite genre, jazz.
Christine said: “It has changed him – not overnight. But we’ve watched this child who at one point was depressed and reclusive turn into a vibrant, confident, able ,entertaining child.
“He smiled lots when he was small but the bullying took such a toll he lost his smile for a long time. Now when he plays he makes the most amazing faces.”
Master jazz drummers from Peter Erskine to Antonio Sanchez have all inspired Ciaran to keep performing.
But it was Quincy Jones who had the biggest impact on him, after hearing about his personal story.
Ciaran said: “He [Jones] came from a family of nothing, started learning trumpet when he was 12 and got lessons from Clark Terry – who also came from nothing.
“He had many people in their time against him learning jazz. But if you wanted to learn jazz in that time, you had to convince the old masters to teach you.”
He continued: “Jones asked for lessons and got up early before school. It’s the hard work and determination. That’s my biggest inspiration and everything he has to face in those times, it didn’t let him stop him. He never gave up on his dream and is now one of the most recognised musicians in the world.
“I think I’ve overcome a lot myself. I’ve always felt that because I am autistic I struggled with doing things as well as other people and that I wasn’t as capable.
“Getting into Berklee made me realise my autism doesn’t need to hold me back. If I want something bad enough, I can go out and get it just like anyone else.”
While Ciaran was delighted to receive a £13,000 scholarship to the esteemed music school, he has launched a GoFundMe page to raise cash for future tuition fees and living expenses abroad.
He has raised over £1,000 – but needs an eye-watering £44,000 per year, which he hopes to meet with the help of further scholarship applications.
Christine added: “We’re still applying for scholarships including one from the Latin Grammys. But he’s been turned down by a lot of places in the UK.
“I’ve written to supermarkets and local autistic charities, everyone we can think of – and I’ve been spamming Oprah on Twitter.
“I’ll do a sponsored head shave if that’s what it takes, it’s his dream.”
To support Ciaran you can visit his GoFundMe page here.
Source: Autistic Scots teen overcomes horrific bully torment to become top drummer
