by Lisa Butterworth

On a recent weekday afternoon, the First Baptist Church of Claremont was still and silent — pews empty, sunlight streaming through its colored glass block windows. But on Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m., this sanctuary will be filled with the singing and piano playing of the Spectrum Dreams Music & Art Ensemble, a group of autistic and neurotypical kids who are finding joy and connection through music. The recital is open to the public.

Sarah Cheng is a member of the church’s Chinese-speaking congregation. (First Baptist Church of Claremont also has English- and Spanish-speaking congregations.) Her 26-year-old son, who is on the autism spectrum, graduated in 2023 from Azusa Pacific University as a piano performance major. “When he performs, people are so touched. And some of those families with young autistic children were really encouraged,” Cheng said. “So, I think this is God’s calling for him — to the stage, to show society what they can do.”

(L-R) Sarah Cheng, founder of Spectrum Dreams, her son and pianist Bowen Duan, and Spectrum Dreams Music Director Junfeng Wang. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Inspired by her son’s experience, Cheng put together a small group of autistic children from her church’s community as a form of ministry, and members with a background in music, including vocal and piano teachers and composers, volunteered to teach them. It turned out, the group had quite a bit of talent. “Music,” she said, “is also the way they express themselves.”

To support the group and broaden its mission, Cheng launched Spectrum Dreams, a nonprofit that provides musical training for autistic kids in an inclusive and supportive environment.

“We’re doing things they are good at, and it’s really enjoyable and therapeutic for them,” Cheng said. “And when the families come here, it’s therapeutic for the family too. They feel accepted here. And we’re actually getting to know each other and support each other, and the kids are having fun with music.”

The group has been learning and practicing for a year and a half, which inspired Junfeng Wang, Spectrum Dreams’ music director, to make a suggestion. We realized, “these kids need the opportunity to show their talents,” Cheng said, and the upcoming dream of the summer recital was born.

The Spectrum Dreams Music & Art Ensemble comprises nearly 20 members, ranging in age from 5 to young adult; more than half of the members are autistic. The group gathers every other Saturday for bible study and music lessons. It’s an environment that nurtures the strengths and needs of the kids, and the volunteers tailor their teaching, offering support that the students might not receive in a neurotypical learning environment.

“During the teaching process, [Wang] discovers their strengths and their joys,” Cheng said. “They play piano, they play the music, and I feel very fulfilled,” Wang said, translated by Cheng. “I really enjoy the process, and I think it’s just so satisfying.”

The recital will feature a number of worship songs, including a rendition of “Amazing Grace,” as well as original compositions; several kids will sing duets with their parents. There will also be an “eight hands” piano performance, with four members playing simultaneously.

Cheng hopes the recital is the first of many. “We want to create more opportunities for these kids to perform,” she said, at other venues, including senior and community centers, or local events.

Above all, Spectrum Dreams aims to enrich the lives of autistic children. “Mostly they just enjoy it,” Cheng said. “For me, my son, he does music. So he always has confidence — he’s good at something, he likes to do something, he can express himself. For these kids, I can see they enjoy it. Some are not verbal, and when they sing, they do it very well. They are also building their character. During this process I think they feel [a sense of] accomplishment. It’s a growing process.”

The free and open to the public Spectrum Dreams: Dream of the Summer recital takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 13 at First Baptist Church of Claremont, 472 N. Mountain Ave.

More information is at spectrumdreams.org.