Exclusive Interview | “Fly to the Sky” — The Miraculous Journey of Two Young Men with Autism
From silence to flight, from piano keys to the skies — composing a symphony of hope through life.
Times Square Global Live | UN Coverage – Reporter: Winny Power
United Nations Headquarters, New York — October 24, 2025
On the historic occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations, Times Square Global Live conducted an exclusive interview with two remarkable young men, Bryant and Bowen Duan, and their mentor, renowned vocal educator Lisa Chen, at UN Headquarters.
🛩️ Bryant — The “Flying Boy” Breaking the Ceiling of Fate
At just 15, Bryant became the world’s first autistic youth to begin formal flight training. With professional instructors and the unwavering support of his mother, he completed hundreds of hours of rigorous training and successfully performed his first solo flight, setting a world record. His inspiring journey was captured in the documentary Fly to the Sky, premiered at the 20th China-U.S. Film Festival (2024) to critical acclaim.
In 2025, Bryant received the Global Outstanding Chinese Youth Award, proving that “impossible” exists only in the mind. Under Professor Lisa Chen’s guidance, he also developed his musical talent, winning the Special Gold Award at the Korea International Youth Talent Competition. He is now pursuing a degree in Aviation Studies, aspiring to join the U.S. Air Force in the future.
As his mother reflected:
“Flying taught him courage — and showed us that every child with autism has a sky of their own.”
🎹 Bowen Duan — The Pianist Who Lets His Soul Speak
Born in Beijing in 1998, Bowen Duan was unable to speak at age three, yet could identify musical pitches perfectly. Diagnosed with autism, he found his voice through music.
After moving to North America in 2001, Bowen trained under distinguished mentors including Tao Zhang, Lisa Chen, and Tian Ge, transforming sensitivity into artistry. In 2021, he received the COTA Music Scholarship and studied at Azusa Pacific University, successfully holding his graduation recital in December 2023.
Bowen has earned numerous awards, including First Prize at the Southwest Youth Music Festival (2017) and the Grand Award from the International Association of Professional Music Teachers (2023). His journey was featured in the documentary Music Is Calling, inspiring global audiences and deepening public understanding of autism.
💖 The Power of Music — Opening the Window of the Soul
Lisa Chen, California-based vocal educator and philanthropist, has dedicated decades to using music as a bridge for children with autism.
“When God closes one door, He opens another,” she says. “Through music, we open the window of their souls and help them reconnect with the world.”
Her teaching philosophy embodies compassion, patience, and inclusion, nurturing talent, self-confidence, and joy in children with special needs.
🌍 Call to Action — Let Every Star Shine
Bryant and Bowen’s stories reveal the boundless potential of young people with autism, reminding society of our shared responsibility. Echoing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 4, 5, 10 & 17): “Leave no one behind.”
Autism is not a limitation—it is a different form of brilliance. With education, understanding, and care, every “child of the stars” can rise to their horizon and play life’s most beautiful melody.
Reporter: Times Square Global Live – Winny Power
独家专访 | 《飞向天空》——两位自闭症青年的奇迹之旅从沉默到翱翔，从琴键到天空——他们用生命谱写希望的交响曲。时代广场全球直播间 | 联合国报道 记者：Winny Power联合国总部，纽约 — 2025年10月24日在联合国成立80周年的历史时刻，时代广场全球直播间在联合国总部对两位非凡青年——Bryant和Bowen Duan——及其导师、著名声乐教育家陈和霞（Lisa Chen）进行了独家采访。🛩️ Bryant — “飞翔的少年”，突破命运的天花板年仅15岁的Bryant成为全球首位青少年自闭症正式飞行训练学员，他在专业飞行教练与母亲全力支持下完成了数百小时严格训练，并成功完成首次单飞，创造世界纪录。他的成长故事被纪录片《Fly to the Sky》记录，并在第20届中美电影节（2024）首映，获得广泛赞誉。2025年，Bryant荣获“全球杰出华裔青年奖”，证明“不可能”只是心态。他在陈和霞教授指导下，还发现了音乐天赋，获得韩国国际青少年才艺大赛特别金奖。现阶段，他正在攻读航空学学位，梦想未来加入美国空军。Bryant的母亲感慨道：“飞翔教会了他勇气，也让我们明白，每一个自闭症孩子都有属于自己的天空。”🎹 Bowen Duan — 用琴声诉说灵魂1998年出生于北京的Bowen Duan，三岁时无法言语，却能精准辨识音高。确诊为自闭症后，他通过音乐找到了自己的声音。2001年移居北美后，Bowen先后师从张涛、陈和霞及葛天等名师，助他将敏感转化为艺术。2021年获得COTA音乐奖学金，入读阿苏萨太平洋大学音乐学院，并于2023年成功举办毕业独奏会。他曾获西南青少年音乐节一等奖（2017）及国际专业音乐教师协会大奖（2023）。其励志经历被纪录片《Music Is Calling》记录，感动全球观众，并促进公众对自闭症的理解与接纳。💖 音乐的力量 — 打开心灵之窗加州声乐教育家及慈善家陈和霞致力于用音乐为自闭症儿童搭建桥梁。她说：“上帝关上一扇门，也会为他们打开另一扇窗。音乐能让孩子的灵魂再次与世界对话。”她的教育理念充满同理心、耐心与包容性，帮助特殊儿童发现自我价值、自信与快乐。🌍 行动呼吁 — 让每颗星星闪耀Bryant和Bowen的故事展现了自闭症青年无限潜能，也提醒社会共同责任。正如联合国可持续发展目标（SDGs 3、4、5、10、17）所强调的：“一个都不能少。”自闭症不是局限，而是一种不同形式的光芒。通过教育、理解与关爱，每一个“星星的孩子”都能升向属于自己的天空，奏响生命最美的旋律。记者：时代广场全球直播间 — Winny Power
⸻🕊️ Reported by Times Square Global Live — United Nations Edition📺 Watch the full video interview: Click the link
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