Pittsburgh Pirates to Host Teenage Musical Artist Without a Voice

Pittsburgh Pirates to Host Teenage Musical Artist Without a Voice

Technology Brings the Gift of Speech to a Voiceless Teen with a Gifted Mind.

PITTSBURGH, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Who: Sara Pyszka, the 19-year old singer/composer from Pittsburgh, PA who does not have the use of her natural voice due to cerebral palsy. Sara speaks with the aid of a DynaVox speech generator and moves with a motorized wheelchair.

What: Following more than two years in the public eye: First singing her own songs at numerous public events in the Pittsburgh area, under the tutelage of former Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conductor, Lucas Richman; then singing the Star Spangled Banner before 17,000 Cleveland Indians fans last July; leading the Republican National Convention in the Pledge of Allegiance in September; dancing in her wheelchair at the Presidential Inaugural Ball; and graduating from high school last month, Sara will sing the National Anthem at the Pirates/Astros double header on July 19.

When: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 4:30PM

Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Why: Sara has become an inspiration for countless people, both with disabilities and without. Her mother, Cindy, says, "If everybody had one-tenth of Sara's determination, the world would be a better place."

How: Sara composes on her DynaVox speech generator which she controls by means of a switch on her wheelchair's headrest. She can input notes, time signatures, tempi, lyrics, volume, intonation and virtually all other musical elements. Once she has composed or styled a piece, her DynaVox synthesizes Sara's chosen voice and outputs the song electronically.

Learn more: For photos, music, video and background please go to: www.Sara-Sings.com.

Media Interviews: Please call Tom Imerito at 412-833-4932 to schedule.

SUGGESTED LEAD AND LINK TO FULL STORY:

Bright, beautiful and talented, nineteen year-old Sara Pyszka has the use of her mind and senses, but not that of her limbs or voice due to cerebral palsy which she has had since birth. Despite her challenges, the spunky writer, composer, lyricist, performer, makes music that caresses her listeners' ears and inspires many to take notice of gifts they usually take for granted ... To continue, please go to www.Sara-Sings.com/pirates.htm

Source: DynaVox Technologies

CONTACT: Tom Imerito of Quest Fore, Inc., +1-412-833-4932, or tomi@questfore.com ; or Joanne Kaufmann of DynaVox Technologies, +1-412-222-7952, or joanne.kaufmann@dynavoxsys.com

Web site: http://www.sara-sings.com/ http://www.sara-sings.com/pirates.htm

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