So you have heard about Music Therapy online, through a friend, or even on Facebook and you are interested in services for you or a family member but you have a few questions first. We completely understand and we want to help you to determine if Music Therapy is right for you and your family!
Here it is, these are the three big concerns we hear when asking about Music Therapy services.
1. I can’t play an instrument!– This is a big one and I’m going to keep it short and sweet. A client does not need to understand music, or know how to play an instrument to be successful in Music Therapy! Between the three Music Therapists I have the opportunity of collaborating with I know that we have Music Therapists working with people from infancy to older adulthood. You need only to be open to a new experience and growth!
2. I don’t think I can afford it if insurance does not cover it. – Unfortunately, at this time there are not many Music Therapy practices in Illinois in which you can bill insurance for services. But don’t let that keep you from pursuing services! Our owners here at Music Therapy Connections are conscientious of the cost and purposely price our services at the cost of a co-pay. That’s right, you are paying the same rate as you would if you were billing insurance. It is important to us that those who need services have access to them.
3. I don’t know if Music Therapy can help me.– As Music Therapists we assess and treat goals which are academic, psychological, motor, speech, memory, and work with people who have diagnoses such as Autism, ADHD, Parkinson’s, Alzheimers, Depression, Anxiety, and the list goes on. The bottom line is that, if you’re interested go ahead and see a Music Therapist. Do an assessment and give it a try. You may just find a fantastic resource for you and your family!
Click here to learn more about Music Therapy for you and your family!
Put simply an adaptive lesson is a lesson where an adaptation is necessary for the student to thrive in their lesson environment. Typically, we think of adaptive lessons as being directed to students with disabilities and diagnoses. Yes, we have students of all ages and abilities, and when we say all we mean all!
That being said, there are many students who may benefit from adaptive lessons who do not have a diagnosis, or may not have a lifelong diagnosis. The easiest way to think about this would be if a student wanted to learn piano, but was recovering from a severe hand injury, we would adapt the material provided so that the student is progressing regardless of the inability to use their hand.
You may be wondering… but, can’t any music teacher do this? What makes your lessons different? Well, it is true that there are many fantastic teachers out there. Our approach is a bit different in that we place our adaptive lessons with our music therapists! Our board certified music therapists have studied how music affects our brain, bodies, and how to apply it to induce a positive change. We have training in diagnoses and have an understanding of counseling skills. We can apply our non-musical training to any lesson to better help that child to succeed regardless of any other limiting factors.
We all carry around labels, positive or negative that affect how others see us, and how we see ourselves. But at lessons our students are students. With or without a diagnosis we are there to help them achieve their goals. Period.
Next week we have a very special mini-camp happening!!
I am so excited to have the opportunity to share my love of music and playing hand drums during the 3 DAYS of drumming camp!
This isn’t your typical drum-set style drumming! No drumsticks or experience needed! The group is open to people of all abilities and levels of musical experience. Whether you are looking to just have fun, learn something new, or add to your current skills, we would love to have you join the group! Over the 3 days, group members will:
explore different kinds of drums
play rhythm instruments from around the world
learn basic hand drumming techniques
become familiar with simple rhythmic patterns
play instruments in a group
learn a few ways to lead a drum circle
improvise on a variety of percusion instruments
and build confidence
Not only is hand drumming and participating in a drum circle a fun experience, it’s also a great way to make new friends, build relationships, work on focused attention and listening, learn new skills, relax, and more. The hour-long group will be from 6:30 – 7:30 pm June 28th, 29th, and 30th. I hope to see lots of new and familiar faces!
As the school year winds down, we have been busy planning a variety of exciting classes, camps and programs for the summer. Here’s a quick rundown of everything we’re offering; simply click the images for details and registration info.
Learn hand drumming techniques, rhythmic patterns, how to lead drum circles, and much more in this dynamic summer camp with MTC co-owner and drumming enthusiast Katey Kamerad.
Learn the songwriting process, hone your style as a songwriter, record your creations, and much more in this dynamic summer camp with MTC co-owner and accomplished songwriter Rachel Rambach.
Music is for everyone, no matter what your ability. Instrument play, socialization, movement, and creativity are at the heart of this dynamic summer camp with board-certified music therapist Janel Metzger.
Join us for a variety of musical activities featuring popular music from the 1950s-70s that will encourage moving, singing, playing and socializing. We utilize preferred familiar music to provide a full range of activities & research-based interventions.
Our flagship class is designed for children ages 0-3, and led by our board-certified music therapists. Each 45-minute class combines movement, singable stories, and group instrument play.
Join us for this FREE family event, featuring 25 of our “greatest hits” over the past year. We’re offering two day and time options to accommodate all families. All participants receive a free download of the songs included in the singalong.
It’s going to be a busy but wonderful summer in our studio! We’re looking forward to welcoming lots of new families and students, as well as sharing our experiences right here on the blog and in our brand-new live video series on the Facebook page!
We regularly get asked by the parents in our Listen & Learn for Little Ones classes if an older sibling can sit in on the class. We don’t have a problem with them joining but I often feel bad because the session is geared toward a younger audience. The older siblings will sometimes join in with the instrument playing or helping their little brother/sister, but their needs aren’t the focus in the Little Ones class.
So what better way to address those needs than to add a class just for the older siblings at the same time. This session we are adding a Little Ones class on Thursday evening at the same time as the Explorer Class so both young children and older children have a class designed for them but parents only have to worry about being in one place!
We’ve also added a couple classes for older kid and even teens and adults on Wednesdays afternoons/evenings. As we continue to grow, we are looking for new opportunities for all of our community members. If there is a class you would like to see, just let us know! We would love you input.
Check out what’s new on our classes page! We’d love to see you in the upcoming session!
Listen & Learn for Little Ones is an early childhood music class for children ages 0-3 and their caregivers. Created and led by music therapists Rachel Rambach and Katey Kamerad, this class is designed to instill and foster a love of music as well as develop basic skills for both musical growth and daily life.
The Listen & Learn for Little Ones curriculum is comprised of both original and familiar songs that you can start singing along with at the very first class. Activities are designed based on specific goals and objectives. Skills that are addressed through the Listen & Learn curriculum include (but are not limited to) fine and gross motor movement, rhythmic foundations, intonation, peer interaction, turn-taking, and academic concepts.
As a parent or caregiver, you attend the class with your child to provide support and encouragement — and capture photos and videos of music making in action! Each 45-minute class combines structured activities (movement, singable stories, group instrument play, etc.) with free time for children to explore various instruments and interact with one another.
All classes are held at Capital City Music 3700 Wabash Avenue, Springfield, IL 62711
