Music Therapy Open House in Ontario Oregon!
(for Anyone with a Barrier to Communication, Learning, or Wellness)

 How Much? 

FREE!!  The idea is to raise awareness about music therapy and how it can help people - so even if you are just a little curious (or maybe just bored on a Friday night), come and check it out! Plus, light refreshments will be provided. Free food and live music, you can’t beat that!

Why?

Because Music Makes Connections. The benefits of music therapy are numerous, but include empowering people with a variety of barriers to engage with others in a fun and nonthreatening way, develop strong relationships, manage emotions, improve memory/cognition, and to learn things about music and about themselves in a unique and powerful way.

When?

Friday, June 1st from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Location:

THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS 

(click the link to see a map)

212 SE 10TH STREET

ONTARIO,  OREGON

Who?

Anyone with a barrier to communication, learning, or wellness should be there (and their families can come too =).  Examples of people who find music therapy beneficial include those with autism, developmental/cognitive delays, dementia/Alzheimer’s, hearing loss/cochlear implantation, mental illness (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc), chronic pain, stroke-related deficits (especially those with aphasia), Parkinson’s or other neurological disorders, and people struggling with addiction.

We look forward to seeing you there! Please RSVP so we can know how many to plan on (but feel free to stop on by anyway even if you don’t- we are always up for a surprise  =).

music therapy with stroke patient with aphasia in Boise

It has been fun working with a stroke patient with aphasia.  Aphasia is a very frustrating condition where they can understand everything that is happening, and they know what they want to say, but they just can't form the words.  Because of the way that music is processed in the brain, people are able to form words when singing before they can form words through speaking.  It is an exciting moment when we are doing music and she is singing and suddenly she forms a word.  The look of excitement and almost surprise is priceless.

I am doing some more work for people with aphasia in June through the Idaho State extension with a pilot program.  If you know anybody who might be interested, please let me know.

Radio Podcast

Please check out me on the radio on a program called Piece of Mind.  Here is the podcast:http://pieceofmind.me/ftp___pieceofmind.me/Podcast/Entries/2012/5/12_Matthew_Jordan_Music_Therapist__Music_as_Medicine.html

In the podcast I talk about music therapy and play some of the music that I have done with people.  It was interesting to be on the radio.  I've never been in a radio station before.  I don't know how much sense I made because I was really nervous.

Smiles through music therapy

Great things in life happen in small moments.  One of my favorite things while doing music therapy is seeing the smiles.  Smiles for most people is a regular occurrence, but for some people smiles rarely happen.  They are stuck in confusion through dementia or frustration because of a stroke.  Sometimes it just difficulty connecting with people.  It is amazing when I see these people smile.  I just love being able to see a change from frustration, confusion, pain, or disconnection to eye contact and a big smile.  Smiles are a thing that most people take for granted, but I have seen smiles that were miraculous.

Music Therapy in Boise

It is really true that music makes connections when nothing else can.  I was working with a young girl with Asperger's for the first time.  She was hesitant to engage, but once the music started she became much more animated she began telling me of connections that she had to different music.  The more we did music together the more she began to smile and began to interact with me.  At the end her mother came and told me that she does not talk to anyone, and she was amazed with how much she talked with me.  It is moments like that which makes me glad that I am a music therapist.

Music therapy and dementia patients in Nampa

While working with clients who have dementia, I have seen many connections made.  While doing music with them connections are the rule not the exception.  I remember seeing a patient in Nampa for the first time.  She lived with her husband of 60 years who was looking for some way to reconnect with her.  Almost immediately as I started doing music, the client began to sing.  A shock look came on the husbands face and he began to cry.  During the session he kept looking at his wife and saying, "See you do remember.  You do remember."  I love being able to give people those chances to reconnect and break through the barriers that come with dementia.

Experience of Music Therapy in Boise, Idaho

I love being a music therapist. I have been able to see some amazing things. It really is true what the tagline to my company says, "music makes connections when nothing else can." Yesterday while working with someone that idea really came home.

I was working with an individual who has limited speech. By working with her, I have got her to sing quite a bit with me. Although she sings, it is very difficult to get her to play any instruments. That is kind of an unusual thing with people I work with. I try almost every session to get her to play some instrument and most sessions she will shake a tambourine maybe once or twice. She is progressively doing more, and we had a breakthrough yesterday.

I brought a djembe, an African drum, with me. I've brought it before and she has showed some interest so I was hoping she would engage more than other sessions. It took a little bit of encouragement, but she began to play a little bit. I would play and then she would take a turn. After a few turns, I did a rhythmic pattern and to my surprise she then did the same rhythmic pattern. My eyes grew wide and she gave me a big smile. I started playing more complex rhythms and she would do them all the way to two measure rhythms. She began laughing at the end and I was so happy to make that connection.

It was a small experience, but it was so exciting to be able to connect in a different way with the client.

Boise - Music Therapy for Children with Special Needs

Music Makes Connections has Partnered with Idaho Parents Unlimited/VSA to provide music therapy for children with special needs!

Our two groups at IPUL/VSA's downtown Boise location include:

Fundamental Skill-building (including nonverbal participants) 

This group is for youth 11-17 and is held Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Through fun musical exercises, these youth will have the opportunity to learn critical communicative skills including verbal initiation, turn-taking, and social reciprocity. 

Social Skill-building and Behavior Redirection

This group is for youth ages 5-12 and is held Fridays 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Music in this group will be used as a means to help the children learn positive mood expression, respect for others, and listening skills.  

Location: 

IPUL/VSA facility at:

500 S 8th Street
Boise, ID 83702

Please call (208) 405-9454 or email info@musicmakesconnections.com for more info.

Boise - Music Therapy for Youth at the YMCA

Improving Social Skills and Behavior through Music for Youth Ages 7 and up

An increasing number of children are struggling with managing social situations and behavior. In the hands of an experienced music therapist, music can help focus your child’s energy and provide a creative outlet for appropriate expression and interaction. Through therapeutic musical exercises, your child will enjoy positive peer interactions and learn how to communicate in meaningful (and fun) ways.

This group meets from 4:00 to 5:00 pm on Wednesdays at the West YMCA.

Please call 208-405-9454 or email info@musicmakesconnections.com if you are interested. 

A Music Therapy Resource for People in Idaho and Eastern Oregon

Have you ever felt frustrated at the lack of services for your loved one with special health or learning needs? 

When we tell people we do music therapy, one thing that often comes to mind is that we fix people who can't carry a tune in a bucket. Music therapy is actually an established healthcare profession (60+ years) that can help address a number of issues including mood and behavior management, developmental skill-building, communication, motor skills, grief and stress, anxiety, chronic pain management, sensory integration, mental illness, memory loss, neurological disorders, and perception and expression for people with hearing loss.

Music therapy fills a critical gap in whole-person care that empowers people to connect with their own senses as well as building therapeutic relationships with others in a uniquely expressive and enjoyable way. 

Clear as mud? Take a stroll on the American Music Therapy Association's website to learn more:  

http://www.musictherapy.org/

You can also visit our website: 

http://www.musicmakesconnections.com

The purpose of this blog is to provide resources, information, and dialogue for supporters of music therapy and those who aren't yet sure about music therapy, but who are seeking effective interventions for their loved ones in Idaho and Eastern Oregon. 

Contact us at info@musicmakesconnections.com to learn more or to schedule a free presentation of music therapy for you or your organization.