Autistic piano prodigy goes viral after $15K surprise gift from stranger

The story of 11-year-old piano player Jude Kofie warmed hearts on Twitter after a stranger gifted the boy a $15,000 grand piano.

“He is beyond special. He is of the level of Mozart. It’s coming from somewhere beyond,” said piano tuner Bill Magnusson of young Kofie’s musical talent.

Magnusson, using an inheritance he received from his father, gifted Kofie a $15,000 grand piano after seeing the piano in the local news.

Kofie cheered excitedly as the grand piano was brought into his Colorado home for the first time in a video that aired on CBS News’ “Sunday Morning.”

CBS “Sunday Morning” later summed up Kofie’s story in a tweet that went viral with over 10,000 likes. Eleven-year-old Jude Kofie, from Aurora, Colorado, showed an incredible talent that no one expected when he discovered an old keyboard and, without any lessons, began to play.

Twitter users reacted to the emotional story, with one reporter calling Jude Kofie and his family “amazing people”.

“I’m not crying, you’re crying. What a great act of kindness!” Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas tweeted.

Bill Magnusson presented Jude Kofie with a $15,000 grand piano. CBS

OutKick founder Clay Travis encouraged his over one million followers to watch the touching story of a young boy able to follow his love for the piano. “This story about an 11-year-old autistic piano player is phenomenal.”

ABC affiliate Denver 7 News’ Denny New shared a photo of himself with Jude Kofie and his father, tweeting, “Proud to be the ‘local news story’ that brought these two together. Jude, Bill and Isaiah are all wonderful people.”

Magnusson was moved to help Kofi after seeing the boy playing the piano on a local newscast. However, Magnusson was concerned that Kofie – who received no formal training when he first started playing – was unable to afford the support he needed to grow as a pianist.

“What resources are left to help this special little soul?” Magnusson asked.

Magnusson also promised Kofie’s family that he would tune the piano once a month for the rest of his life.

“We’re family now,” he said.

Jude Kofie called his extraordinary piano talent a “miracle”. CBS

Jude Kofie’s father, Isaiah, was shocked by Magnusson’s generosity.

“All for free,” he said. “Who does that?” Jude’s father asked, becoming visibly emotional.

Isaiah Kofie also said he was extremely grateful for Magnusson’s kindness to his son.

“[For] Someone to love your son like that while making sure his future is secure, we are so grateful.”

When asked how to explain his once-in-a-generation talent on the piano, Jude Kofie said it was “a miracle.”

“That’s what I prefer,” he added.