An inclusive choir brought this man to the stage, and a new documentary aims to show the potential
Lauda choir serves as an inclusive space for neurodiverse people looking to perform
A documentary is in the works to showcase the people and potential of an inclusive choir in St. John's, which one member says has changed his life for the better.
Lauda, comprised of neurodiverse and neurotypical people as part of the Shallaway Youth Choir, serves as a space for people to come together to be part of a group. It's what attracted Tyler Collett, a founding member of Lauda, to the choir.
"Being together with my friends is the most important thing I like," Collett told CBC Radio's On The Go.
"I have learned that I had to keep on trying, and I had to keep on focusing as well because sometimes I get a bit confused when I try to figure out my brain thoughts. Overall, I like the singing and I like the performances that they have done."
Collett and the rest of the Lauda group are the subjects of a documentary now in production called Lauda: I Like the Way You Think. Demos for the film, a collaboration between Shallaway and Ruby Line Productions, began circulating.
Wanda Nolan, one of the documentary's directors, said she's found spending time with the group to be personally enriching.
"I think it's a story that, especially in today's news cycle, that people need to hear and want to hear," she said.
"It's just a beautiful story about inclusivity, diversity. Just a reminder that all our brains are different. And I think it's a beautiful model for any choir, any group."
Collett said he's gotten a lot out of being part of the group. Music has always been part of his life, he said, especially since he was born with perfect pitch. But being part of the choir allowed him to engage in performance.
His mother, Colleen, said the group has brought him out of his shell in the best way.
"He's starting to put his stamp on a few things, so it's been really a door-opening thing for him," she said.
"It was a place where he could truly be himself, and he could see that he was making lots of friends who are also neurodiverse and neurotypical. And they were equals. So for him, it's been a totally positive experience."
Nolan hopes the documentary can premiere in September 2025.
Collett says he's excited to see where the documentary will go.
"I'm feeling two feelings: one is excited, and the other, I think … I feel ok," he said. "[I have] no nerves at all, but I'm really looking forward to this."
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With files from On The Go
