Todd Waites

Each presentation is 60 minutes (unless small school aged children) and consists of speaking sprinkled with some keyboard playing that shows the progression of learning how to play initially, then relearning with one hand. It is not a technical presentation of how to play the keyboard, but rather a comparison to life events and chasing dreams in amidst adversity. Audience participation with dancing and singing encouraged!!

There is a heavy focus on 80's music as that was the era in which Todd was relearning to play keyboards with one arm.

People who know Todd Waites say he has already lived the life of 10 men. Ask Todd, and he says he’s just getting started. After losing his complete arm and shoulder to cancer at 14 years of age followed by nearly two years of rigorous treatments, Todd has made the best of the cards dealt to him.

PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN

Playing the keyboards since age 4 then having to re-learn how to play with one arm, Todd has gained worldwide respect and notoriety. As a professional musician/keyboardist he has toured all over the U.S. playing in front of thousands of people each year, has appeared on numerous CD releases (both domestic and internationally), a double live DVD, and is a main character in a motivational book "I Work with Crabby Crappy People" published in 2012 in which he also wrote/recorded the digital soundtrack. He’s been featured in Keyboard Magazine, various news outlets, and even had the great honor of helping David Bryan, keyboardist for multi-platinum band Bon Jovi learn how to compensate when he suffered a finger injury.

EXECUTIVE

In the business world Todd has built and managed successful sales teams as Director/VP of Sales that resulted in unprecedented growth for the companies he’s worked for. Although he has success in the sales arena, the presentation to Corporations does not cover sales techniques or process. His passion is the people behind it all and their own self worth...that building each person to be a ROCKSTAR as an individual regardless of title or status, builds an unstoppable ROCKSTAR team.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

As a motivational speaker Todd inspires people of all ages in various settings to overcome obstacles, make the best of any situation, gain/sustain self-esteem, and to know that everyone…regardless of background, social status, job title, physical appearance, etc…matters. He brings a keyboard to the events and incorporates music into the program as he discusses his journey of going from a two handed keyboardist to only have one arm...and still playing.

If it is within driving distance, I bring all necessary equipment. If not, I will bring a keyboard but the event needs to provide a stand (or even a table) along with a sound system and microphone (wireless headset or lapel microphone preferred).