Today we’d like to introduce you to Milosz Gasior.
Hi Milosz, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Full-Circle Moment: Minimally Verbal Pianist with Autism Inspires Through Service and Music When Milosz Gasior was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg in September 2005, his parents were told that his communication and independence would always be severely limited.
Nearly two decades later, Milosz is proving that he has learned to communicate through music—through every note he plays.
Born to Polish parents, Milosz grew up in Oldsmar, Florida. His father, Marek, is a computer programmer, and his mother, Bozena, is a German and ESL instructor at the University of Tampa and Saint Petersburg College. Together, they supported Milosz’s love of music from an early age. Though he is minimally verbal and prompt-dependent, Milosz found in music a voice stronger and more expressive than words.
In May 2023, Milosz became the first piano major with autism to graduate from the prestigious Pinellas County Center for the Arts (PCCA). The four-year conservatory-style program demanded rigor and artistry, and Milosz rose to the challenge. Despite his reading comprehension being at the fourth-grade level during his senior year and his severe speech delay, Milosz graduated Magna Cum Laude, ranking in the top 10% of his class, and was inducted into both the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Since graduation, he has expanded his artistry while serving the community through music. His contributions include:
Creative Pinellas Arts Impact Fund recipient (2024–2025)
2024 Young Performer, Arts4All Florida
“Mr. Inspirational” honoree (Help Us Gather organization), where he performed at Tampa International Airport in December 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Recipient of the Outstanding Young Adult Award, Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities- 2025.
One of Milosz’s most cherished roles is as a volunteer pianist at Moffitt Cancer Center, where since June 2024 he has played every Friday morning in the hospital’s lobby. Patients, families, and staff stop to listen, many moved to tears by the beauty of his music. Doctors and nurses have shared how his playing brings a sense of calm and hope to those facing difficult moments. For Milosz, who cannot easily express himself with words, it is a way to connect, uplift, and serve others in their most vulnerable times.
Milosz has also shared his music on concert stages across the United States and abroad. He has performed in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, as well as in four major cities in Poland—Warsaw, Wrocław, Kraków, and Rzeszów. Each performance has become an opportunity not only to showcase his remarkable musical talent but also to raise awareness about autism, inclusion, and the power of the arts to connect people across all differences.
Milosz is also connected with the PARC Center for Disabilities and Help Us Gather (HUG), two local organizations dedicated to inclusion and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. His music and his story have made him a beloved ambassador for both.
Milosz’s inspiring journey caught the attention of Broadway creator Mark Schoenfeld, who saw parallels between Milosz’s life and a musical he is writing, Music Boy. Schoenfeld encouraged Bożena to share their family’s story, leading to the publication of her book I Heard the Light: A Mother’s Story of Her Son’s Journey Through Autism to Self-Expression, now available in multiple formats.
This September, Milosz and his mother have begun volunteering at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, returning to the very place where his autism was first diagnosed 20 years ago. For Milosz and his family, this is a deeply moving full-circle moment—from patient to volunteer, from diagnosis to giving back through music.
While Milosz is not independent and continues to need support in daily life, something remarkable happens when he sits at the piano. It is there that he belongs, where he communicates most clearly, and where he shares his story and serves his community. Through every performance, Milosz reminds the world of what is possible when music becomes the voice of the human spirit.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, Milosz’s journey has been anything but smooth. His extended family lives in Poland, which meant that his parents had little support in caring for both Milosz and his older brother after his autism diagnosis. Much of the responsibility fell on his parents alone, especially his mother, who became his fiercest advocate. One of the greatest challenges was ensuring Milosz’s inclusion in general education classrooms. From kindergarten through his senior year of high school, this required the constant presence of a one-on-one Exceptional Student Education (ESE) assistant. His mother fought tirelessly for this support so Milosz could have access to the same opportunities as his peers.
After graduation, new challenges emerged. While Milosz had achieved academic and artistic milestones, finding meaningful ways for him to stay active and engaged in the community was difficult. When his family turned to Florida’s Vocational Rehabilitation services for guidance, they were told he could be trained to bag groceries at Publix, but that music could only remain a hobby. For a gifted musician whose piano is his voice, this response was discouraging.
Social interaction has been another extreme challenge. Milosz craves friendship and connection, but because he is minimally verbal, making and maintaining relationships has been hard. His family is especially grateful for Help Us Gather (HUG), a nonprofit that creates opportunities for people with disabilities to make friends, socialize, and feel included. Through HUG, Milosz has been embraced as “Mr. Inspirational” and has found a true community that celebrates his gifts.
Beyond music, Milosz has also thrived as an athlete. At the BAKAS Equestrian Center, he has been horseback riding for years and competing as a Special Olympian at both local and state levels. In addition to equestrian sports, Milosz is also a Special Olympian in paddle boarding and bowling. These activities give him joy, confidence, and a sense of belonging—something every young adult deserves.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Milosz Gasior is a pianist with autism whose extraordinary dedication and passion for music set him apart. He is known as a titan of work ethic, practicing for about six hours every day. Under the guidance of his private piano teacher, Milosz continually expands his repertoire, which ranges from classical masterpieces to jazz, Broadway favorites, old standards, and a wide holiday selection. Together with his mother, Bozena Gasior, Milosz shares not only his music but also his life story. Bozena gave a TEDx talk about Milosz’s journey, where Milosz also performed, earning a standing ovation. This mother–son duo now offers motivational speaking events: she shares their story of resilience, music, and inclusion, while Milosz communicates through his performances.
Milosz has performed at numerous fundraising events, cocktail hours, and community gatherings, bringing warmth, inspiration, and artistry wherever he plays. He is available for hire at various events, and when a piano is not on site, he brings his professional keyboard to ensure high-quality performances.
What sets Milosz apart is that while he requires daily support in life, the piano is where he belongs—it is his voice, his means of communication, and his way of serving the community. Since June 2024, Milosz has also been volunteering weekly at Moffitt Cancer Center, where his music brings joy and comfort to patients, families, and staff. Since April 2025, Milosz has been performing regularly at DeLukas Restaurant & Bar in Clearwater. Guests are invited to enjoy the warm atmosphere of this Croatian restaurant, savor delicious food, listen to Milosz’s music, and even meet his mom, who is always by his side.
Milosz’s music has already reached audiences across the country and abroad, with concerts in Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and four major cities in Poland—Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow, and Rzeszow.
For more information about his story and upcoming performances, please visit:
Milosz’s website: https://helpusgather.org/asdvirtuoso/
Bozena’s website: https://www.bozenagasior.com
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
This is best answered by Milosz’s mother, Bozena Gasior. She closed her TEDx talk with the lesson that has guided their entire journey: “My advice to those of you who face challenges in life is this – seek out and boldly ask for help. Never give up and never accept ‘no’ as the first response, because eventually, someone will take a chance on you, on your child, or your loved one.
And to those who may not face such challenges, I ask you to be the one who gives that chance to someone who needs your help or encouragement.”
Pricing:
- Private Events: $75/Hour (piano performance)
- Corporate Events: $100/Hour (piano performance)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bozenagasior.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asdvirtuoso?igsh=ZnV3MDRmanZkNWd4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bozena.gasior.2025/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bozena-gasior-28617251/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MiloszGasiorDefyingAutismwithMusic
Image Credits
Only pictures from TEDx- Credits Saint Petersburg College
