by Alisabeth Hopper | Jun 2, 2016 | Parents, Resources
At Music Therapy Connections, we work with students of all ages and abilities. Based upon those things we can place a new student into the best situation for their growth, whether that be a class, lesson, or adaptive lesson. I think I can speak for our team when I say that it brings us great joy to know that we can provide services for the entire family — from newborns to grandparents!
Many parents want to know, how do you know when a child is ready for lessons? Here are three things we look for to find your young learner the best fit.
1. When it comes to both piano and guitar lessons, it is very important that a student can count to four, visually identify letters A through G, and preferably be able to identify their left hand from right. All of these are important foundational skills to build on in lessons.
2. For any kind of lesson it is important to ask, “Can my student be engaged with one activity for thirty minutes?” This can be a challenge for many four to six year olds beginning lessons.
3. Finally, we don’t usually begin guitar lessons until the age of at least seven. Why? Well, unlike with piano, a new learner needs to have large enough hands to be able to form chords with proper technique so that they don’t injure themselves. Guitar can also test a new student’s patience as it can even be painful when first beginning. For our future guitarists under the age of seven, we recommend starting with piano and growing a nice framework of knowledge to build on later.
In general, if a child is still growing in one of these areas or has additional needs, we would consider their lessons adaptive. This is because we are adapting our approach, creating different materials, and utilizing multiple mediums to provide them with the best lesson experience possible, regardless of their prior knowledge and experience.
Is your child ready for lessons? Click here to learn more and register for the summer session.
by Rachel | May 19, 2016 | Class Registration, Parents, Services
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!
by Alisabeth Hopper | May 17, 2016 | Materials & Supplies, Parents
This year I have had the pleasure of working with some of our youngest pianists and helping them grow in their skills. With this has come many questions about which piano is right for a given student and how to know where to begin the purchase process as a parent. Those questions have inspired this beginner piano buyer’s guide!
Number of Keys- These can vary but the most common is a 61-key and an 88-key. These are measured by how many keys are on the piano. A 61-key keyboard is smaller and will be lower in cost and vice-versa for an 88-key. Eventually a student will need an 88-key piano or adapt music, but this doesn’t need to happen until book 2 or 3.
Brand Name- The most common brand names offering affordable keyboards are Yamaha and Casio. These are both wonderful and reliable brands. With these you can’t go wrong.
Accessories- There are so many accessories that can be used with your keyboard here are a few that you should consider:
- Piano Bench or Seat- these are usually adjustable along with the height of the keyboard.
- Keyboard Stand- Most keyboards come with a stand. I would recommend checking to make sure because this is a must!
- Music Stand- Keyboards should come with a music stand, attached to the top of the keyboard to hold music at a comfortable level. Once again, this is a must have.
- Weighted Keys and Key Size- Key size is very important. You should check to see that they haven’t slimmed the keys on your keyboard to provide for ease of transition from practice to lessons and performance. Also, there are a large variety of keyboards out there that have weighted keys. Weighted keys require more resistance when playing to more closely relate to the feel an acoustic piano.
Altogether your choice will largely depend upon whether you would like to get a starter piano or something more long term. I still use my 88-Key keyboard that I started my piano journey with 12 years ago. My recommendation would be, if it is within your price range, to invest in an 88-key keyboard. You don’t need an upright piano, or a keyboard with all of the bells and whistles to give your child what they need to excel in their music lessons.
Best of luck in your piano buying journey!
by Katey Kratz | May 5, 2016 | Class Registration, Parents
Fitting in a 5-week session at the end of the school year can be tough!! There’s graduations, concerts, recitals, parties, vacations, holidays, track meets, and the list goes on and on! So, why push a class that might be poorly attended?
Instead, we’ve created an alternative that gives new families a shortened session they can use as a trial, provides our regular attendees a little break, takes into account conflicting dates that might be on everyone’s calendar, and all at a discounted rate. We know this is a busy time of year for everyone so we try to work with families to find a reasonable solution.
Take a brief look at our video and visit our website to learn more about our mini session and register today! Classes start next week.
by Alisabeth Hopper | May 4, 2016 | Materials & Supplies, MTC
I love working with instruments. I could entertain myself all day with a djembe, guitar, piano, and an endless supply of sheet music. But sometimes my students and clients don’t share my endless love for all things instrumental so… what else is there? Well, I’m glad you asked!
- Musical Props and Manipulators- Hello Connect-a-band! This category is a great love of mine. I make use the stretchy band and parachute with almost every group and music class. These are great for gross motor movement and getting those jiggles out! A few other great options include bean bags, streamers, scarves, and of course- the balloon ball.
- Stuffed Animals and Adapted Toys- Stuffed animals are a great way to create a different sensory experience with common instruments. Like playing stuffed animals on a drum for “5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” or “5 Green and Speckled Frogs.” Even large bean bags can be a great way to provide a new musical experience.
- Laminated Visuals- This is something that our team has been doing for the last year. For each class session we have written a special seasonal song accompanied by five visual counting aids. We have done everything from flowers to trees, and raindrops to snowflakes. What is truly wonderful is seeing our class grow in their counting skills as we work together. If you would like to check out our counting books and songs, click here.
If you are a parent of a young child, check out our Listen & Learn for Little Ones class. Led by board-certified music therapists, this class is structured to support growth in play and musical exploration! Come join us!
by Katey Kratz | Apr 28, 2016 | MTC
5,000 Facebook fans is something to seriously celebrate! We love the support that we get from our facebook community and want to share the love by giving away an AWESOME prize to one of those fans. Our facebook page is where we share details on our new classes, post pictures of what’s happening at MTC, and get awesome feed back from people everywhere! We are so grateful for the tremendous amount of support and the outpouring of love we see on our page every day!
If you haven’t already, take the next 10 seconds to like our page & enter your name for our HUGE giveaway!!! https://musictherapyconnections.org/5k/
We LOVE using movement props from Bear Paw Creek! To help us celebrate, they are giving away the following incredible pack of prizes! Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 4th @ 5:30 pm and tune in on facebook for our LIVE VIDEO where we will announce the winner and share some other BIG NEWS! Join us 5/4 to see if you won:
2 Connect-a-Stretchy Bands ($50) // Bean Bag Set ($18) // Scarves Set ($22) // Balloon Ball ($15)
Along with all of the above, the winner will also receive digital downloads (including lyrics, chords, mp3, and instrumental track) of the following songs, which were written specifically for use with Bear Paw Creek movement props:
by Alisabeth Hopper | Apr 26, 2016 | Materials & Supplies, MTC, Resources
Pinterest is well known for being the place where connoisseurs of the latest and greatest information get lost in endless pages of ideas, projects, and graphics. Most people use it as a way to explore their hobbies, but did you know that Pinterest can also be used as an effective tool for marketing, collaborating, and even research?
What is the purpose of Pinterest? For those of you who have never used this platform, Pinterest is basically a virtual cork board where you can use “pins” or graphical links to put on a “board” which you can label and is now saved in your account. One of my favorite boards right now is my “sensory” board which focuses on resources related to sensory awareness, care, tools and more. My favorite place to get resources about sensory needs is from pin boards about Occupational Therapy. Which brings me to my next point…
Why should I use another social media platform? My absolute favorite use for Pinterest is to collaborate! Now, of course it is hugely beneficial to collaborate with local professionals when you can, but in the case that those resources are not present or available Pinterest allows you to share ideas with others, professionals included!
But more than anything else, Pinterest is a great tool for advocating! There are already pages upon pages of informational graphics about what Music Therapy is, who provides Music Therapy, and why it is effective. When these images are re-pinned they become more and more popular and are then seen more and more. In the end there are so many uses and benefits to using Pinterest as a Music Therapist that I didn’t even touch on.
There are endless possibilities.
by Katey Kratz | Apr 21, 2016 | MTC
Curious to know what comes with our NEW multimedia songbook, “Counting Through the Seasons”? Check out the video below to get a sneak peek at one of the songs and learn more about everything you get with your digital download!!
by Rachel | Apr 20, 2016 | Parents, Reflections
Last week, one of our parents sent us a photo of her daughter and another child in our Little Ones class, along with this message:
“If it wasn’t for music class they wouldn’t be this close! Met in music…discovered they have same birthday…then the same daycare…now we do play dates and events. Love them! And they both love music! You guys are awesome!”
Our mission is to help children learn and grow through music, and that is certainly the focus when designing and facilitating our classes. There are so many other magical things happening as a result: parents making special connections with their children, grandparents having precious one-on-one time with their grandchildren, siblings sharing instruments, and new friendships being formed.
Music brings people together in a way that nothing else does. So while we are teaching and strengthening important developmental skills through our songs and activities, the beautiful byproduct is stronger relationships between children, their grownups, and their peers.
I spend countless hours with my children, but there’s something special about attending music class with them. We interact in a different way than we do at home, and I love seeing both my toddler son and infant daughter interact with the other children and adults in class. It really is the highlight of our week, and I hear from other families that the same is true for them.
by Alisabeth Hopper | Apr 19, 2016 | MTC, Self Care
I often use words like fostering, supporting, and the big one — facilitating — when discussing the purposes of Music Therapy and how music can be therapeutic. I work alongside our clients to support them in growth and achievement of their goals and consider the environment, instruments used, methods applied, music played and assimilate them into one experience. I invest in them so that they will succeed. But it occurred to me the other day: when am I investing in myself, and is it enough?
The simple answer was rarely, and no.
Now, I am not talking about your standard self-care plan, which usually consists of exercising, watching a movie, or going to bed an hour early just because. Though these things are important, I am talking about the other side of self-care: artistry.
You are an artist. Say it with me: I am an artist. If you chose a profession in music, you did it for a reason. This realization hit me like a ton of bricks, but then something amazing happened: “You know what, I AM an artist.” It was in that moment that I realized that I had been neglecting my passion for music. I chose then and there to set aside five minutes every day to play one song that I love, or write, or something that was just for me that was far far far away from “Old MacDonald”.
I took this time to facilitate artistry in myself, I provided an environment, chose instruments, applied methods, and played music which seamlessly assimilated into one experience.
How are fostering artistry within yourself?
