Roberto Reyes Selected as Only American Performer for 2025 International Special Music & Art Festival in Seoul, Korea
- occtac
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
Santa Ana, CA — The Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) is thrilled to announce that Roberto Reyes, a student of our Preparatory Arts Academy for over 17 years, has been selected as the only American performer for the prestigious 2025 International Special Music & Art Festival in Seoul, South Korea.
Roberto is one of just 12 participants from 9 countries invited to this global event that celebrates the talents of artists with special needs through music and art education, cultural exchange, and live performance.
The festival will take place over four days from August 7 (Thursday) to August 10 (Sunday), 2025 at Seoul National University and is hosted by Special Olympics Korea in partnership with the International Special Music & Art Festival Organizing Committee. Main sponsors include the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, Hyundai Motor Company, and the Community Chest of Korea.
Originally created as a legacy project of the 2013 PyeongChang Special Olympics World Winter Games, the festival is now an annual summer event aimed at:
Promoting international exchange and growth for musicians with special needs
Showcasing their creative potential through collaborative performances and master classes,
Advancing global understanding and inclusion through the spirit of the Special Olympics.
Roberto's selection is not only a personal milestone, but a proud achievement for OCCTAC and the entire U.S. arts and disability advocacy community.
Despite facing a tight deadline and language barriers—the application was entirely in Korean—Roberto independently used Google Translate, navigated the application process, and submitted all requirements just before the May 6, 2025 deadline. Only 16 days later, he received his acceptance email.
Through the festival, Roberto will be provided with a translator, international travel, meals, lodging, and access to exclusive master classes, culminating in a performance on a world stage—his first ever outside the United States.
“Roberto is one of the most dedicated and inspiring students I’ve had the privilege to work with,” said Phoebe Stanciell, OCCTAC’s Music Program Coordinator and Roberto’s longtime mentor. “His passion for music, his resilience, and his desire to connect with others through his art make him the perfect representative of not only OCCTAC but the United States. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Please join OCCTAC in celebrating Roberto Reyes and cheering him on as he represents the USA in South Korea this August!
About OCCTAC: Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through arts education, therapeutic services, and community outreach. Since its inception in 2000, OCCTAC has been providing vital resources and support to underserved populations in Orange County, assisting them in unlocking their full potential and achieving their goals.
