“April Showers Bring May Flowers” Lately, I have been using this phrase in my music therapy sessions to help with memory and communication. I also have used similar phrases common in a person’s long term memory such as singing: One,…
Pivoting
Pivoting in it’s classic definition is to “turn or rotate”. The basic human ability to turn or rotate is still an acquired skill whether using the body to turn, or learning to with the assistance of an aid, like a…
Music and the Brain: Stroke Rehab with Neurologic Music Therapy
In March of this year, I received a referral to assess an 83 year old woman who had had a stroke which effected the speech areas in her brain causing global aphasia. Global aphasia is characterized by a severe impairment across…
Music and the Brain
The Science of Music and the Mind Recently, I posted an Instagram post with the graphic shown below, provided by Music Together, LLC. I work with all ages and stages of folks using music to help support their journey to their…
Sing, dance, jump, and twirl with Music Together this Summer!
Summer can be an especially happy time for families. The sun is out, the pool is open, friends stop by, work slows down. Children play outside, examining stones, water, insects, and mud. They can become engrossed in their own activity…
Laughter + Music = The BEST Medicine
We have heard both phrases: “Laugher is the best Medicine” and “Music is Medicine” so, why not combine the two? Grab your loved one to watch, laugh, and sing to this fun folk song! How do you feel afterwards? What music…
Superpowers!
Tom* began individual music therapy teletherapy sessions this past December because he has had Parkinson’s Disease (PD) for 10 years and now his spouse says she can’t hear him speak and continually asks him to, “Speak Up!” I also knew…
Music Therapy with “Original Sound”
By now, I am sure we have all become professionals navigating Zoom or Google Meet or any other video platform to connect with work, school, family, and friends. It’s been almost a year since we were all sent home and…
Plans, Hopes, Dreams and Giving in 2021
I think Miles Davis had it right when he said, “Do not fear mistakes. There are none,” especially when I see someone engaging in music that speaks to them. Many of us, including myself at one time, live with the…
Go Play!
Play is an important concept not only for childhood but also into adulthood. Play is both a noun and a verb. It is both an act of being and doing. There is non-scripted play and there is formalized play such as…