We recently connected with Kaylah Taylor and have shared our conversation below.
Kaylah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I want to share my most recent project, which has been with the Autism Theater Project for a groundbreaking series called “The Voice Inside.” I am a person who is autistic, and this project shows what it’s like to live on the spectrum—and how society often places limitations on who we can be or what we can achieve.
In The Voice Inside, I play Lily, an adult education teacher. I don’t want to give too much away, because I truly hope you’ll check it out. This project is deeply meaningful to me because it gives a voice to those who are often overlooked or underestimated. Gena, our director and producer, has created opportunities that aren’t usually offered to people like us—just because we’re different.
My name is Kaylah Taylor, and I was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Doctors told my mom that my behavior was “bizarre” and suggested putting me in a home. But she never gave up on me. Instead, she became my #1 fan—pushing me to excel, encouraging me every step of the way.
I’ve since gone on to graduate from Florida International University and earned my master’s from the University of Miami, where I delivered the commencement address.
Kaylah , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Kaylah Taylor, and I am a musician, educator, songwriter, actress—autistic and artistic. I love music, and songwriting is my way of communicating. I started singing as a child in the church choir, and over time, I learned to play piano and guitar, studied opera for five years, explored music production, and continue to sing today.
What I want others to know about my art and music is that I aim to share messages through what I create. If you come across my name, please give me a chance—reach out and tell me what you think. I love hearing from others.
One song I’m especially proud of is “Autism Speaks.” I wrote it to show how my autism speaks for me—whether through music, words, or in the classroom. One of the lyrics says, “I may do things a little bit different.” This past Autism Awareness Month, the song went viral and charted in the Top 50 on the Instagram Music Chart.
My music is available on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. You can also find me on YouTube at Miamikaytay.
Instagram: @Spilledmuse
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I was young, doctors told my mom I should be put in a home because my behaviors were “bizarre.” But she refused to give up on me. She became my biggest supporter, pushing me to rise above the labels and limits placed on me.
There were times I struggled to communicate or feel understood, especially in school or social situations. But music became my voice. It gave me a way to express what I couldn’t always say out loud.
I’ve heard a lot of “no’s” in my journey—but I kept moving forward. Despite the challenges of being autistic in a world that often misunderstands neurodivergent people, I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and even gave the graduate commencement speech at the University of Miami. I now use my platform to advocate for others like me through my song Autism Speaks, which went viral during Autism Awareness Month.
I thank my family for their love and support—my mom, for always believing in me; my sister, and my late grandmother, Gladys Taylor, whose strength and spirit still guide me.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I believe society should always be on a journey of discovery, especially when it comes to artists and creatives. Supporting an artist should feel like finding a new planet. When you discover something new in space, don’t move on. You study it, Well in this case, Listen to that new artist, Explore, Try out that new family owned restaurant, or buy that up and coming designer. You want to try to understand what makes it unique.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kaylahtaylor.com
- Instagram: @spilledmuse
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@miamikaytay?feature=shared
Image Credits
Kaylah Taylor
The Photo with Group of 3 that’s: Gena Sims, Zach, and Kaylah Taylor