Still talking!

I am still talking about music therapy to everyone who will listen! Just today, the owner of the tree pruning company I hired to prune my huge plum tree asked me what I do. I had planned to be home after my client this morning to pay him but had gotten a call from another client who had previously needed to cancel this afternoon's session but ended up being available for music therapy today. So when he said, "so what do you do?" I launched into action!! He shared with me some experiences he has had with alternative therapies, and said although he considers himself pretty well informed he had not heard of music therapy. I still have so much talking to do! I have to add that I was stopped in the hall at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital the other day by a physician who wanted to ask me about what I do. He smiled and nodded and agreed that music is indeed, therapeutic. . . had a similar experience this past Monday. Another doctor and several nurses chatted with me about their own experiences with the healing power of music. I asked if they could refer me some patients on the floor who could benefit, and, instead of the usual "oh, I can't think of anyone" said, "Really EVERYONE on the floor could benefit!" Yes!! That's what I like to hear! (Actually music therapy is contraindicated in some situations.)

Music = Brain Exercise

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/26/health/mental-health/music-brain-science/index.html When you play music, you are exercising your brain in a unique way. In fact, very few things change the brain like music does. "I think there's enough evidence to say that musical experience, musical exposure, musical training, all of those things change your brain," says Dr. Charles Limb, associate professor of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at Johns Hopkins University. "It allows you to think in a way that you used to not think, and it also trains a lot of other cognitive facilities that have nothing to do with music."

Music Therapy and Dementia

Here's a great article about music therapy and dementia: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-friedman-lmsw/music-dementia_b_1483446.html

962, almost there!

I had a wonderful time at the Special Ed Conference held at Prairie High School today. It was a great event, well-attended and I gave 2 presentations as well as speaking to a number of people who came by my exhibitor table.

Happy 80th Birthday, Casey Kasem!

Happy Birthday, Casey Kasem!! In one of my music therapy groups today, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Casey Kasem and reminisced about his show, American Top 40. We played tambourines to the very first song to be played on "American Top 40" (July 4, 1970) -- Marvin Gaye's "End of The Road." The number one song on that first broadcast was "Mama Told Me Not to Come" by the inimitable 3 Dog Night, which we sang and played drums to. In the top 10 on that day were Elvis' "Wonder of You" and the Beatles "Long and Winding Road." Stretching our limbs seemed a natural fit for the Elvis song, and we joined in singing "I'll never know the reason why you love me as you do. That's the wonder, the wonder of you!" The Beatles tune worked nicely with a pentatonic tone chime improvisation. My clients were surprised to learn the #1 song from the 1970s was "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone. The group sang the song beautifully, accompanied by guitar. "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John was American Top 40s' #1 song of the 1980s, which of course we exercised to! It just seemed so right . . . What a fun walk down memory lane with Casey, AT40 and all those great artists. Long distance dedication to Casey!!

Music Therapy in the Longview Daily News Here is a link to an article about the music therapy group I lead in Longview for client with Alzheimer's: http://tdn.com/lifestyles/music-therapy-group-offers-sound-approach-to-healing/article_aa097142-8b43-11e1-8fe4-0019bb2963f4.html This group is sponsored by SWAAD and offers caregivers a chance to come to their support meeting while their loved one attends music therapy. The group is a pilot project and has been well-received in Longview!

908 I'm getting close to that 1,000 mark! I spoke to a lovely group of women at a PEO Sisterhood meeting Tuesday night. At the meeting were 15 women, many of whom are musicians and could relate to my topic because of their own experiences. Several women sing with "Vancouver USA Singers" and one with Bravo! Vancouver. Another woman works for a bereavement organization and has had much experience with helping people deal with grief through music.

893

I spoke to a lovely group at The Quarry today about music therapy. They were so receptive to what Ihad to say about the power of music. I shared my free report, "7 Days to Better Brain Power through Music" and fielded a number of questions about why we like the music that we do, and why music is such a powerful force for healing and wellness.

878

I have revived my 1000 Person Project, giving myself another shot at reaching my goal of telling 1,000 people in Clark County (Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, LaCenter, Salmon Creek, Washington) about the healing power of music and music therapy. Today, I was invited to a PEO meeting, attended by 36 lovely women. I shared my music therapy journey and they, too, shared their musical stories. I heard about grandchildren with disabilities who love to hear Grandma sing, and husbands with early stage dementia. I heard about how they use music in their own lives -- to encourage themselves to get their housework done, or to soothe a dying parent. We all were touched by each others' stories ~ Thank you PEO!

842

Yesterday, I spoke about music therapy at Washougal High School's Career Day. I had 2 groups of 25 students each. These 50 students chose music therapy among a number of presentations they could attend that day. I was heartened to realize how many of them were interested in music therapy (young men as well as young women). They asked great questions, including "What is a typical day like?" and "What is most rewarding about your work?" and the thought provoking, "Can music therapy cure anything?" Their band teacher was most receptive and welcoming as well!

It is great to know that these talented, bright students are at least considering a future in music therapy!

Yesterday afternoon, I was having a cup of tea outside in the sunshine at my favorite coffee house in Battle Ground and an older man walked up to me and asked what I was doing (I was listening to one of Cathy Knoll's podcasts about autism). I told him I was doing some continuing education, and he shared with me that he had two nephews with autism. He asked to join me at my table and hear more about music therapy!

Online Music Therapy Conference

http://onlineconferenceformusictherapy.com/

Can't wait for this conference! Nothing like a good professional conference for rejuvenation and renewal . . . and this one I can attend at home! No air travel, hotels, restaurant meals (that may or may not be gluten- and dairy - free). Nope, I get to attend this conference on my iPad wherever I choose. Really looking forward to hearing from music therapy experts from around the world

February "It Might As Well Be Spring" Drum Circle

Improve your Mood, Reduce Stress, Boost your Immune System!


CDM SERVICES PRESENTS
February Drum Circle
Tuesday, February 7th, 5:30 pm
Gallery 360,
111 W. 9th Street,
Vancouver, WA

No musical experience necessary – our music therapist will show you what to do.
All drums and other small percussion instruments provided, or bring your own.
Suggested Donation: $5
to benefit CDM Adult Day Services music therapy program


Contact us by phone:
Anne Vitort, 607-8187; or Pat LaCroix, 944-1511
email: info@upbeatmusictherapist.com
website: www.upbeatmusictherapist.com
Find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Winter Drum Circle

Improve your Mood, Reduce Stress, Boost your Immune System!
No musical experience necessary – our music therapist will show you what to do.
All drums and other small percussion instruments provided, or bring your own.
Suggested Donation: $5
to benefit CDM Adult Day Services music therapy program
CDM SERVICES PRESENTS
Winter Drum Circle
Tuesday, January 10th
5:30 pm
Gallery 360,
111 W. 9th Street,
Vancouver, WA
Contact us by phone:
Anne Vitort, 607-8187; or Pat LaCroix, 944-1511
email: info@upbeatmusictherapist.com
website: www.upbeatmusictherapist.com
Find us on Facebook and Twitter!