When you live in Miami, one season tends to blend right in to the next. Winter feels like Spring and Spring feels like Summer. Nonetheless, I like to acknowledge the change of seasons in my sessions. Thus, I have a ton of ideas in store for my Spring-themed sessions next week. I work at a [...]
Yesterday, something happened in one of my sessions that stopped me in my tracks. Now I've been a music therapist for twelve years (!!), and very little surprises me at this point. But on this particular day, I was facilitating a localization exercise with my clarinet in the resource classroom for students with severe and profound [...]
Sensory sessions based on a theme are my absolute fave. Right now, it's all about Fall ya'll. Although it never truly feels like Fall here in Miami (high today of 83!) I still try to get into the spirit of the season in my sessions. Using Fall and all the goodness that goes along with [...]
Rhythm sticks are quickly becoming my favorite instrument. Why? They're incredibly versatile (just like this instrument is!), They're appropriate for a wide range of ages, They can be used to address goals in a variety of domains, And, they're multi sensory. The multisensory component is my favorite part because the majority of the individuals I [...]
I love watching videos of other music therapists in their sessions with clients. I gain so many new ideas for songs, interventions and methods of implementation. I try to contribute by sharing my own videos: Check out my Music Therapy in Action page to watch videos of me working with clients to address sensory integration, [...]
It's December and I can feel the excitement for the holidays building! This is my favorite time of the year. I love the decorations, the holiday songs, the food, the get togethers ~ all of it! To spread a little holiday cheer, I want to share with you a brand new offering ~ a Holiday [...]
Sensory-based interventions are some of my favorite to incorporate into my music therapy sessions. Many of the children I work with who have special needs are also sensory-based learners. This means they learn about their world through their senses - sight, touch, hearing, even taste! Here is an original song I wrote to use in my sensory sessions [...]
I have to say that Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! Although it's usually still pretty hot and sticky here in Miami, I always enjoy singing songs about pumpkins, ghosts, and goblins. Last year I shared two videos of special Halloween singable stories: "Big Pumpkin" and "Nightsong" (these were a little different than my usual [...]
I just returned home after a beautiful and relaxing vacation in Sanibel. Honestly it was hard to leave a week of swimming, biking, grilling, and swinging in the hammock. But I feel refreshed and ready to go! This is a bittersweet week for me - I am finishing up my time at UCP's Early Beginnings [...]
Friday was my last day with the children at UCP!! I can't believe it! I'll be leaving United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) to start my new position as Interim Professor of Music Therapy at University of Miami. There are many things that I'll miss about UCP, but most of all will be the children. Don't worry ~ [...]
