Autistic Pianist Plays Key Role at Temple

Harris Engel practices with Cantor
Sharon Brown-Levy at
Temple Emanu-El of West Essex.

LIVINGSTON, N.J. -- The ability to identify and reproduce a musical note without a reference is rare. Harris Engel, 20, is among the few individuals with perfect pitch, and this summer he has been putting that gift and his performance skills to work, subbing for the accompanist at Temple Emanu-El of West Essex in Livingston.
That distinction alone would be worthy of note, but what makes his achievement even more remarkable is that Harris is autistic.