Aspiring Norwalk DJ with Down syndrome pursues his dream

A disabled DJ’s dreams came true when he was invited to play his first set in front of almost 2,000 people.

Inspirational Joey Agostino, 23, who has Down syndrome, loves music and devoted hours to perfecting his skills behind the decks.

Two years ago, the aspiring musician was thrilled to discover he was the recipient of a scholarship which would allow him to professionally train.

Dreams: An aspiring musician with Down syndrome who  devoted hours to perfecting his skills behind the decks, was invited to play his first set in front of almost 2,000 people

DJ: Joey Agostino, (pictured left), an aspiring DJ, was thrilled to discover he received a scholarship which would allow him to professionally train two years ago

DJ: Joey Agostino, (pictured left), an aspiring DJ, was thrilled to discover he received a scholarship which would allow him to professionally train two years ago

After completing the course under his mentor, audio engineer Mark Minnock, Joey, from Norwalk, Connecticut, landed his first gig.

He performed at the Night to Shine concert held by retailer LulaRoe in California, an event which supports and celebrates people living with special needs.

Footage from the night shows him looking suave in a top hat and tails and grinning as the music plays out to a crowd of 1,800.

Practice: The 23-year-old DJ from Norwalk, Connecticut, completed the course under his mentor, audio engineer Mark Minnock, and landed his first gig

Practice: The 23-year-old DJ from Norwalk, Connecticut, completed the course under his mentor, audio engineer Mark Minnock, and landed his first gig

Practice: The 23-year-old DJ from Norwalk, Connecticut, completed the course under his mentor, audio engineer Mark Minnock, and landed his first gig

Event: Joey performed at the Night to Shine concert held by retailer LulaRoe in California, an event which supports and celebrates people living with special needs

Event: Joey performed at the Night to Shine concert held by retailer LulaRoe in California, an event which supports and celebrates people living with special needs

Event: Joey performed at the Night to Shine concert held by retailer LulaRoe in California, an event which supports and celebrates people living with special needs

Passion: Speaking about his love for music, Joey said he was always inspired to become a DJ because, he loves music, making people happy and dancing

Passion: Speaking about his love for music, Joey said he was always inspired to become a DJ because, he loves music, making people happy and dancing

Speaking of his passion, music lover Joey said he was always inspired to become a DJ.

He said, ‘I love music, I love to make people happy and I love to dance. So that’s why I want to be a DJ.

‘It’s cool and fun to be a DJ. You have to practice every day because practice makes you perfect.’

Joey’s mom, Laurie Agostino, said it was a huge shock to discover that Joey’s first gig, in August, would be such a monumental one. 

Happy: ‘It’s cool and fun to be a DJ and you have to practice every day because practice makes you perfect,’ he said about his passion

Son: Joey’s mom, Laurie Agostino, (pictured), said it was a huge shock to discover that Joey’s first gig, in August, would be such a monumental one

Dream: Joey was able to pursue his dream after securing the National Down syndrome Society’s Ethan Saylor scholarship which he used to train with Star Inc. Lighting the Way

She said, ‘When Joey’s first gig came around, it was not just this tiny little gig.

‘It was a big, big thing for this to be his first event. They pulled out all the stops.

‘Joey jumped right in, full blast into this huge room, and this huge dance floor and he owned it.

‘Of course, I cried more than once but I was incredibly proud.

‘It is amazing feeling to watch your child who had a passion, who had a dream, to see it all come together, it was amazing.’

Joey was enabled to pursue his dream after securing the National Down Syndrome Society’s Ethan Saylor scholarship which he used to train with Star Inc. Lighting the Way.



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