Sam's story
Posted 8 March 2012
Sam Leahy loves everything about music—including beat boxing and contemporary R&B.
He has attended beat boxing workshops at the Woodford Folk Festival, and practises as often as he can.
‘I love it,' he says.
‘I love all of the sounds you can make up and put together.'
‘I'm (also) really good at it.'
Sam has even met his idol, local beat boxer Tom Thum, when he also played at the Woodford Folk Festival.
‘He's talented,' says Sam. ‘He can do a lot at the same time—the baseline and the beat, as well as scratching.'
Sam is also inspired by Tom's creative style.
‘I like to try to do the same as him,' he says.
His hobbies
Sam lives in Brisbane, and likes going clubbing with his friends. He listens to singers including Beyonce, Usher and Rhianna.
‘I love dancing, and my favourite style of music is R&B. Some of the tunes are really catchy, and the voices of the singers sound good with it,' he says.
His commitments
When he isn't practising or performing as a beat boxer, Sam splits his time between his work and study commitments.
He has 2 part-time office jobs with the Queensland Government, and is studying Visual Arts at Southbank Institute of Tafe.
Sam is also an ambassador for the Down Syndrome Association of Queensland, along with Nicole Fletcher.
‘I want people to understand Down syndrome and anyone with a disability,' he says.
Sam went to high school at St. James College in Brisbane. He believes education should be inclusive and supportive of young people's needs.
‘It is a lot easier going to a normal school (in my opinion), rather than a special school,' he says.
‘You don't have to ask for constant assistance, just some if you need it.'
His plans for the future
In the future, Sam wants to go to the Woodford Folk Festival again, and continue to do office work.
He doesn't believe he is disadvantaged by having a disability, saying it helps to make him who he is.
‘I say you don't have a disability, you have ability. You are special. You can use it to your advantage.'
