Musician • Survivor • Motivator
Awaken. Ignite. Transcend.
Redefining the Impossible: Where passion, unbreakable resilience, and creative mastery transform life's greatest challenges into extraordinary potential.
Quick Links: Baldi's Published Articles | Baldi In Print
Baldi's Published Articles
- 02 October 2024: "Figure Skating Benefits" • Published by Spectrum for "Quest Audit".
- August 2023: "Music, Music, Music" • Published in SOSA (Sibford Old Scholars Association) Magazine.
- 01 December 2015: "Amonn Skates to Golden Success" • Written by Baldi, published in "The Sibford Rocket".
- 15 November 2015 (Issue 82): "Surgery, Survival and Skating to Success: How a Heart Patient Survived and Skated to Success" • Published in GUCH News & The Sommerville Foundation Winter Newsletter.
- 29 May 2015: "Living in Spite of the Things That Scare You Half to Death" - Ice Skater Who Overcame Disability to Win Double Gold in International Contest Tells of Challenges" By Stephanie Hunter, published in The Community section of The Portsmouth Evening News.
- 06 June 2013: "Man Takes Gold in Ice Skating Event Despite Paralysis" • By Ben Fishwick, published in The Portsmouth Evening News.
- 01 March 2013 (Issue 7): "Olympic Volunteering: Living the Dream and Seizing the Moment" • Written by Baldi on his London 2012 Olympic Drummer & Athlete Marshal experiences across all four Ceremonies, published in GUCH News.
- 27 August 2012: "Best Experience Of My Life" • Self-published reflection on London 2012, MSN UK Stories.
- 14 July 2012: "Best Experience of My Life" • Published on Microsoft Blog detailing the Industrial Revolution Opening Ceremony & Paralympic Marshalling.
- 29 March 2008: "Fighting Back" • By Hazel Davis, published in The Guardian Newspaper, highlighting adversity and triumph at University.
- 22 September 1983: "The People Who Backed Brave Amonn's Fight for Life" • Interview with Karen Bray, published in The News, Portsmouth.
"Drumming with Evelyn Glennie and being a part of 1,000 drummers was the most moving experience of my life... showing how sport and art can bring all nations together with no barriers." — Baldi (London 2012)
Baldi In Print
Examples of Baldi's Short Sparks are: New Challenges and Music, Music, Music!
New Challenges
Written for "Spectrum Leisure Centre", Guildford U.K on 02/10/24.
New challenges are always welcome, especially, when they have extremely positive knock on effects in life.
Figure Skating was a sport I very much enjoyed at an early age, however, when my local Rink closed, I was devastated, & continued to pursue my passion for music. Thank the lucky stars I did, as, years later I attribute my survival to my extensive musical studies, performances, & practise, as, in April 2007, whilst playing Badminton, I suffered multiple "Out of Hospital" Cardiac Arrests, ultimately leading to having an "I.C.D", "Implantable Cardioverter Device" in my right shoulder which further compounded my right side coordination issues, however, forced me to completely re-think life.
A friend asked if we could celebrate her Birthday at an "Ice Rink". Not thinking, I duly nodded, & arranged a visit on very busy Saturday evening "Disco" Session. Stepping back on the Ice immediately rekindled another of my passions, unwittingly setting in motion a chain of life changing events, the highlights so far of which are, winning 4 International "Gold Medals" for "The U.K" in Dumfries, & Glasgow "Impaired Skating Competitions", in 2013, &, 2015 respectively.
Very nearly quitting "Figure Skating" altogether in 2014, I finally found the best Teachers for me, who have throughout the years, not only much inspired me, but have also helped improve my overall mental health, wellbeing, & fitness, allowing me to once again fall back in love with a sport close to my heart. From heightening my critical thinking skills, to improving my memory, concentration, communication, dedication, awareness, & mental toughness, "Figure Skating" combined with regular lessons from inspirational professionals tick all the boxes, allowing me to be much fitter, healthier, &, happier with a much more positive outlook on life. Not to mention my much improved levels of confidence, which, after my unfortunate accident in April 2007 are now back to an all time high, thanks to my many "Figure Skating" achievements, being surrounded by like-minded, diligent, thoughtful Professional Teachers, & students within a safe & positive environment helping to propel me forwards, setting, & conquering new challenges, inspiring myself and others along my journey.
Music, Music, Music!
"Music, Music, Music!" published August 2023, in "SOSA" ("Sibford Old Scholars Association") Magazine.
Who would have thought a Sibford pupil would be given the opportunity to perform as one of the "1000 Drummers", progressing to Marshall across all 4 "London 2012 Olympic Games Ceremonies"?
"The atmosphere of the London 2012 Olympic Games was electric. I felt truly inspired to be a part of history and to witness first-hand how sport can bring nations together with no barriers of religion, race, or language and in peace and harmony.
Performing on stage with Evelyn Glennie and Brian May, being a cog in the 1000 Industrial Revolution Drummers was the most moving, thought provoking, and inspirational experience of my life, one, I will never, ever, forget.
Progressing to Marshal across all 4 Opening/Closing Ceremonies, sharing the stage with our World's top athletes and Musicians made me realise what a small, wonderful world we live in and just how lucky I am.
Sibford, so much to thank you for. Lots of inspirational teaching, loads of performance experience leading to my participation in "Banbury Area, Young Musicians of the Year" competition to winning a Cup for "Outstanding Music Making at Sibford School". Years later, I wonder, what if…. Thank you, I feel, is extremely appropriate.
After leaving "Sibford" I attended my local College studying "A Level Music" (well, what else!). I took GNVQ "Business Studies" because I had studied that at, yep, you guessed it "Sibford". Performing most evenings, passing exams (Business, Music Performance, & Music Theory), playing in "County Youth Wind Band" progressing on to attend "The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Focus Courses", "The Royal College of Music" "Junior Department", & "Dartington International Summer School.
Whilst at "Trinity College of Music" London, I studied and performed intensively, giving recitals in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, & across the pond in Canada. Whilst in the second year of my Music Degree, I was asked to teach at my local college where I gained my P.G.C.E in Further, & Adult Education writing 2 "Music Performance Syllabuses" at BTec Level.
Adjudicating competitions & performing high profile fundraising concerts for "The Sommerville Foundation", "Portsmouth, Winchester, & Chichester" Cathedrals, "The British Heart Foundation", "The Rocky Appeal, Portsmouth", & "Fishbourne Roman Palace", West Sussex made me proud to have been given so many unique opportunities in life, & especially whilst I was at "Sibford School".
What am I saying? If I can, then you can. I strongly believe music opportunities should be open to everyone as they could save your life, & if you are prepared to put in lots of hard graft, follow your dreams, take all available opportunities then I feel sure you will succeed both in life & with your chosen profession.
Your journey is a story waiting to be told. How will you channel your resilience, command your stage, and inspire others?
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