Franklin lives in Chicopee, MA with his family and has been a student of Michael Falcetti for the last 3 years. To quote his teacher, “Franklin has an incredible God given talent and is a joy to teach”. His newest instrument is the digital accordion. He started on acoustic accordion three years ago and transitioned to the Roland digital accordion two years ago. Franklin discovered his passion for music when he was just three years old, learning on piano and since then his countless hours of practice and natural talent have made him a master of the keys. A music enthusiast, he also plays the flute, saxophone, and harmonica. Franklin, who has autism and is blind, learns by ear and can fill every musical part of an arrangement with ease—often becoming engrossed in melodies and harmonies, while contemplating the theory behind it all.
 

Franklin has attended Berkshire Hills Music Academy, a school for young adults with intellectual disabilities, since 2013. When he matriculated into the LIVE Program in 2015, Franklin joined BHMA’s Performance Troupe; he rehearses with the eight-member band daily, and is booked for regular, paid gigs at schools, conferences, and various events across the Northeast. With his signature charisma and humor, he also entertains audiences through his work as a solo musician, part of a jazz trio, and accompanist. 
 

Franklin aspires to be a professional musician, as well as an advocate for others with disabilities. During troupe performances, he shares powerful testimony about his experience living with a disability. Franklin also speaks about the importance of acceptance and inclusion—values he aims to embody in his own life. Innately inquisitive, Franklin enjoys getting to know people, traveling around the world, and using the internet to teach himself different languages, including Spanish, Hebrew, and Japanese.

For further information: peggyf1944@gmail.com