Enriching lives through participation in music
Adaptive lessons can be a wonderful way to give students with disabilities a normalized leisure activity in which they take pride, while also addressing non-musical skills! As music therapists, we are uniquely situated to meet the needs of diverse learners due to our training and experiences. If we rely on our academic...
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Technology can be intimidating, but with some practice it can really open doors for clients with a variety of limitations. I have found many apps and instruments that help me help my clients . Here are 3 that I’m particularly loving right now: GarageBand If you have an Apple Device, there are so many things...
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Why do I welcome and encourage singing along? “Oh, you don’t want to hear that.” “I don’t sing very well anymore.” “I’d ruin the song.” These are the most common responses I hear when I encourage patients or family members to sing along if they know the song. Some tell me...
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Spring is here! And with it comes a plethora of songs and activities! Flowers, birds, and my favorite: Sunshine! Think about how many songs you know that have the word “sun” or “sunshine” or “sunny” in the title alone! Here are the first ones that come to my mind: You...
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Members of ParkinSingers currently connect virtually over Zoom. The past year has brought its share of challenges for everyone, and the ParkinSingers choir in Cedar Rapids is no exception. Yet, despite the adversity, this group of individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones has continued to find community through music-making. ParkinSingers began several...
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Turn That Frown Upside Down I had the best remote music therapy session with a dementia patient, Ann*, on hospice care. It affirmed my love of music therapy AND how telehealth can work wonderfully. Ann’s nurse and massage therapist were with her and they reported that she wasn’t in very good spirits...
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As we lead music therapy sessions amidst a global pandemic, taking necessary precautions to protect the individuals we serve is necessary, yet daunting. Prior to COVID-19, I often took a cart filled with various instruments and props to my groups. We played and passed instruments, imitated patterns, used movement...
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