Bio

Since captivating the nation as a finalist on American Idol, Scott MacIntyre has continued to move audiences to laughter, tears, and standing ovations all over the world.  As an acclaimed singer-songwriter, he has toured in arenas across North America, headlined concerts in Japan, Austria, England, Canada, and the US, and performed with many noteable acts including Michael W. Smith, Alice Cooper, Jason Mraz, and the Jonas Brothers.  His latest CD Heartstrings debuted at #18 on the iTunes Pop Album Chart, and his original song “Christmas Angel” received national radio play and became one of the top holiday indie singles of 2010.  As an author and in-demand key-note speaker, MacIntyre has inspired corporations, health care and education institutions, non-profits, and churches across North America and beyond with his unique and dynamic life story.  In his new book By Faith, Not By Sight he writes about how he learned to face his fears and overcome any obstacle to realize his dreams.

As the first blind finalist on American Idol, MacIntyre was called “an inspiration to the entire world through your commitment, through your talent” by former judge Paula Abdul.  Visually impaired since birth, he started playing piano by ear at age three, began classical lessons at six, and subsequently learned to play organ, guitar, bass and drums.  When the family moved to Toronto for several years, he studied music at the Royal Conservatory of Music before relocating to Arizona, where, at fourteen, the home-schooled MacIntyre was admitted into Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College and Herberger College of Fine Arts.  In 2005, he received the coveted Marshall and UK Fulbright scholarships and was ranked by USA Today as one of the top twenty undergraduate seniors in the nation.  He then graduated ASU Summa Cum Laude at nineteen, going on to receive a masters degree overseas in England at Royal Holloway, University of London and the Royal College of Music.  During his time overseas, MacIntyre was invited back to the US to be received in the Whitehouse by First Lady, Laura Bush as one of three national RFB&D scholarship winners.  He was accepted to both Oxford and Cambridge Universities for further graduate study in the UK.

But the road to success was not always easy.  MacIntyre had to learn to hold on to hope, even when circumstances threatened to take everything away.  At nineteen years old, he was diagnosed with stage-four kidney failure.  After a year on dialysis, his college piano teacher’s wife donated her kidney to MacIntyre and saved his life.  It was less than a year later that he auditioned for American Idol.

MacIntyre has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the 700 Club, Hour of Power, Regis and Kelly, 100 Huntley Street, the Today Show, Canada AM, Larry King Live, and many other programs.  In 2010, MacIntyre was honored by Dr. Robert and Arvella Schuller with the annual award for “promoting positive values in the media” at the Crystal Cathedral in California.  Past honorees include Dr. Phil McGraw, John Tesh, Kathy Ireland, Twila Paris, and Roger Williams.  In 2012, he partnered with Donate Life America, Deaton Flanigen, and FOX to launch a national PSA for organ, eye, and tissue donation.  He wrote a song for the PSA entitled “I Am Hope,” and it quickly became a theme song for the transplant community.  MacIntyre’s contagious spirit of optimism and heartfelt stories take his audience on an emotional journey of love and yearning, hardship and hope, from someone who deeply understands the challenge of overcoming enormous adversity.  Having always forged ahead when the world said to give up, Scott MacIntyre continues to be an inspiration to all who hear his music and story.