Are you looking to add some variety to your guitar playing? Look no further! Watch here and see if you are inspired to pick up your guitar and try some groovy new strum patterns... Music Therapy Strum ~ "Rainstorm is Brewing" by Mahleah Benson Upbeat Music Therapy Strum ~ "Days of the Week" by Amy Kalas [...]
As I sit here and work on a new song about compound words for my Kindergarten class, I think back to the question...why do I do this? Why do I push so hard to use original songs in my music therapy sessions with children with special needs? Here are a few of the most important [...]
Last week the children at UCP's Early Beginnings Academy had the privilege of having a guest artist! Pedro, percussionist from University of Miami, came to visit the children and show them a variety of latin instruments. Here were some of the highlights... First, we heard the snare drum... We explored sounds that were soft and [...]
I absolutely love the PS 22 Chorus - they are so inspiring to me! Watching their videos reminds me of the importance of keeping music and the arts in our schools. Enjoy this video and I hope it inspires you to have a wonderful week...
One of the places where I provide music therapy is the Chabad Center of Kendall's Friendship Circle. Friendship Circle is a place where children and teens with disabilities can come to take part in a variety of activities: karate, yoga, gymnastics, dance, art, music therapy, and more. Each child [...]
Yesterday I had the privilege of presenting to the staff members of UCP Miami. I always love sharing information on music therapy (my favorite topic in the world!), but admittedly, I was very nervous. The audience was made up of various professionals: teachers, assistants, therapists, and administrators. The topic of my presentation was "How Music [...]
In my group and individual music therapy sessions at UCP I have the opportunity to co-treat with amazing occupational therapists. We discuss often how their occupational therapy (OT) goals and objectives can be addressed during my sessions. Because of the increasing number of children we see on the autism spectrum, sensory integration and sensory processing disorder [...]
Multisensory Stimulation I recently got back from vacation in beautiful Naples with my boyfriend. This trip inspired me to do a post on one of my favorite themes for my summer music therapy sessions - a Trip to the Beach! I have used this session plan for groups of children on the autism spectrum and [...]
I first began working as a private music therapist rather unintentionally. I started receiving referrals through my connections at University of Miami, my alma mater. Parents would call the music therapy program director and she would pass their information on to me. This was all fantastic, except I had no experience in business or running a [...]
Transition songs are a very important part of the daily routine for children, both within and outside of the music therapy session. I cannot tell you how many times singing "Everybody Sit Down" in a quiet voice has helped herd rowdy children back to the circle after a movement activity. I hear teachers singing "Clean [...]
