For senior Nolan Kas-Mikha, autism is personal.

“I have cousins and friends who are affected by this disorder and are dear to my heart,” Nolan says.

Nolan, who has played piano for 10 years, has decided to offer piano lessons to students - and donate his earnings to the Ted Lindsay Foundation which specializes in autism care and research. 

“I would also like to help all other individuals who struggle with autism as well and progress research to cure this disorder,” he says. 

He researched various organizations and decided on the Ted Lindsay Foundation, located in Troy. 

He created Kasmikha’s Studio, a non-profit organization, earlier this summer, and offers piano lessons both in person and virtually. Nolan currently has three students and hopes to gain more. 

He would like to host a recital later this fall with his students, with the profits from ticket sales and concessions also going to the Lindsay Foundation.  

For more information about the fee structure, check Nolan’s Facebook post or contact DLS Music Teacher Mr. Robert Cornwell, DLS Class of 2019.

In addition to being what Cornwell calls “a gifted musician,” Nolan is one of the top students in the Class of 2025, and would like to pursue electrical engineering. He is interested in several colleges, including Stanford and the University of Michigan. 

He is enrolled in five Advanced Placement classes this year and is on track to graduate with 13 Advanced Placement exams on his transcript. His senior classes include AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, and AP English Literature and Composition. 

Nolan attended Holy Family Regional (Rochester Hills) and took Geometry as an eighth-grader, and Advanced Algebra 2 and Trigonometry as a DLS freshman. With that foundation, Nolan took AP Calculus AB as a sophomore and AP Calculus BC as a junior. 

He also took AP U.S. History and AP Microeconomics as a sophomore. 

His junior year included AP American Government, AP English Language and Composition, AP Psychology, and AP Spanish 4. 

Nolan is the President of the DLS DECA Club and qualified for the April 2024 International Competition in Anaheim, CA. 

His leadership in school activities also includes being President of the Stock Market Club, the Co-President of the Mock Trial Team, and a leader in the SAVE Club (Students Against Vandalizing the Environment). Nolan also is a member of the DLS National Honor Society and the Student Council, and also the Captain of NBA2K on the E-Sports team.

The DLS Faculty has high praise for Nolan. 

Mr. Mike Shortt, DLS Class of 2004, had Nolan as a sophomore in AP Microeconomics.  

“Usually, sophomores don’t take the class,” Shortt said. “I explained this to Nolan and he knew going in how challenging the course would be. He worked as hard as any student I have had. That, coupled with his natural abilities as a student, led to his getting a 5 on the exam, a tremendous accomplishment for anyone, especially a sophomore.”

Mr. Scott Grimmer has taught Nolan in several classes and says Nolan has had a positive impact on the learning process for all students in the class.

“Nolan asks relevant questions that allow the educator to clean up any confusing or unclear concepts,” Grimmer said. “Even though Nolan is extremely bright and talented, he has an aura of humbleness about him that I find refreshing.” 

And Mr. Thaier Mukhtar, who taught Nolan in his AP Government class, also has high praise. 

“The future is bright for this wonderful young man who will make DLS very proud of his accomplishments.” 

Nolan lives in Washington Township with his parents Martin and Bon. 

His older brother Martino graduated in 2023 and is attending the University of Michigan.