Pursuing one’s dreams is never easy and it might seem especially difficult if one suffers from a condition.
Shawn Ciantar, 23, knows a thing or two about this. At the age of four, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a developmental disorder characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction and non-verbal communication, and which usually comprises repetitive behaviour.
He struggled as he grew up, at school and among peers, and experienced bullying. He even felt misunderstood by his educators.
“It was an uphill struggle. And I saw the rest of society as being very different from me,” he told The Sunday Times of Malta.
An individual with Asperger’s Syndrome, which falls under the autism spectrum, does not usually have good analytical skills but may instead have an exceptional memory. Shawn is, in fact, particularly good at remembering dates and he loves history and the arts.
He went on to study at the Institute of Tourism Studies where he got three diplomas in food and beverage management and currently works at a hotel in St Julian’s.
Music brings joy and many emotions
He likes his job but he is more passionate about a lifelong pursuit of his: singing.
Shawn has always demonstrated “an affinity for music”, according to his father Paul. He comes from a musical family and started singing at a very young age. At 14, he decided to take his talent to a professional level.
“I started learning singing in 2009,” says Shawn, who mentions Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Luciano Pavarotti and Joseph Calleja as his favourite singers.
He performed in choirs and in musicals and eventually started participating in festivals abroad.
In 2016, he placed third at a festival in Tenerife, while in 2017 he placed second in another song festival in Romania. This year, he won the top prize at a festival in Naples, titled Eurokids, with an original song titled 1920s, composed by Shan Vella. He also presented a cover version of Renato Zero’s I migliori anni della nostra vita, with which he placed third.
“We beat them at their own game,” said his father Paul proudly.
Meanwhile, Shawn is recording two albums featuring Italian, Maltese and English songs, including original numbers and cover versions.
This does not mean that he has overcome all obstacles. His father says he still finds closed doors locally and suffers bullying, even because he likes to sing Sinatra songs.
But all this does not deter Shawn, who intends to keep honing his talent and open a school offering vocalcoaching services. “Music inspires me a lot,” he says. “It forms part and parcel of my life. Music brings joy and many emotions.”
His father calls out to parents of children suffering from some form of condition, encouraging them to support their children’s talents and never give up.
“It’s first and foremost important that one realises that one’s child has a condition and try to bypass it in the best possible manner. Of course, it’s important to seek professional help,” he said.
“But this should not discourage anyone. Take Shawn. What he can do best, he’ll put his utmost in it.”