I have a confession to make... Ready for it? I used to be kind of a snob when it came to using recorded music in my sessions. As a board certified music therapist, I am a firm believer that we have a unique skill set that sets us apart from other music professionals. We play [...]
April was Autism Awareness Month and I had the opportunity to do something I LOVE to do: travel to different library branches throughout Miami-Dade county and lead Rockin' and Readin' music therapy sessions. Rockin' and Readin' is a program I created to bring music therapy sessions to the libraries in our area. Our focus in [...]
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 [...]
Although I have a storehouse of session ideas (especially when it comes to Fall!), I always like to keep things fresh and bring in new musical experiences for my clients. My mom recently sent a book in the mail for my daughters (who are ages 2 and 4) and they love it, but as soon [...]
It's Back to School Time! Hooray? Some say yes, some say no. However you feel about this season, it's here, there is no question about it. I'm feeling it because my daughter started PreK 4 today (!!) AND I'm gearing up to start sessions again at the school where I work with children with special [...]
I just returned home from a lovely trip to Boston with my little one for a family get together. The weather was beyond beautiful and we enjoyed some delicious BBQs in the backyard. Now that I'm home, I'm ready to wrap up the little camping series I started two weeks ago. You can catch up [...]
Last week, I shared a post on a Camping Theme I'm working on with my K-5 students in music therapy. We started off with a camping hello song while looking at pictures in the book "Down By the River." Then, we roasted marshmallows over a campfire of red, orange and yellow scarves in a drum, [...]
I've recently been beefing up my arsenal of activities for the school-age population (grades K-5). Two years ago I started working at a school for children with special needs, and it's been a great exercise in creativity for me! I have lots of ideas for working with children and teens, but not many that are [...]
Playing the ukulele makes me happy. It reminds me of summertime and being at the beach. Do you get that same feeling when you play? Recently, I started ukulele lessons with a three-year-old. It's been fun to come up with a short lesson structure for this age group, and the lessons have been going very well. [...]
There is nothing more frustrating than when you're leading a session, singing with enthusiasm, trying your hardest, and look out to see a group of children with...blank stares. No participation, they're just sitting there. You've spent hours preparing, hours practicing, and...nada. Not a good feeling, am I right? During my twelve years working as a [...]
