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Dutchess Songwriter Inspired By Kids Releases Music Aimed At Autism Communi

BEACON, N.Y. - With Autism Awareness Month (April) quickly approaching, Beacon singer-songwriter Vievanessa is about to release a three-song EP (with bonus track) titled 'Echo,'  aimed at children touched by autism, but also intended to reach the entire community.

Beacon singer-songwriter Vievanessa in the studio recording her music.

Beacon singer-songwriter Vievanessa in the studio recording her music.

Photo Credit: Contributed

" 'Echo' was inspired by my son's echolalia (the repetition of words, phrases, intonation, or sounds of the speech of others as a way for autistic children to learn how to speak)," Vievanessa - a self-described 'autism mom' - explained.

" 'Gonna Be Alright' is an upbeat lullaby that autism parents can identify with, because it finds the silver lining in a life full of challenges that autism families face," she said. " 'Outside' (recorded at Beacon Soundworks) encourages healthy playtime outdoors - to a reggae beat."

The singer, who has two boys (5 and 15) said she wanted to find a way to help the autism community.

"My latest project has involved me working diligently to contribute to my autism community in the best way I know how," she said - "with music.

"People who have heard it say they love it, and would want it for their autistic children," Vievanessa said. "And it's music that appeals to adults as well as kids."

Vievanessa - a Queens native who came to Beacon 16 years ago - started writing music inspired by her boys, and soon decided to record it.

"Over the years with my sons... I'm a kind of a silly mom," she said. "I made up little songs to get them motivated, get them smiling. All the songs were inspired by them. Then I had so many I decided to record them - kind of for fun. But then I realized maybe other people might want to hear these songs."

Vievanessa is in the process of looking for children to appear in a music video for her songs (she can be contacted through her website or Facebook page), and currently three of her videos are on Youtube - "All Day Long," (a cover of Lionel Ritchie's All Night Long), "Echo," and "Gonna Be Alright."

Her 'Echo' EP is set to be released Friday, March 24 (iTunes, Spotify, CD Baby) - to coincide with Autism Awareness month. A full album titled "Little Animals"  is set to drop June 18, and Vievanessa has also re-released her 2006 EP 'Beautiful Things' - with 50% of proceeds going to Autism Society Hudson Valley.

Vievanessa can be reached at vnessamail@yahoo.com.

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