In Harmony Music Therapy of Middle Tennessee

Category: Services

  • 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 own personal wellness and agency. From early childhood into adulthood recent studies have shown the many benefits of music on both cognition and physical health.  

    My experience as a Board Certified Music Therapist and a Music Together Center Director has included children with ASD, persons with IDD, older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Stroke, and Dementia.  I have seen first hand those moments when music therapy provides a catharsis and a new awareness of learning and better quality of life.  

    Want to know more about how music supports brain function? Check out the resources below on recent studies and topics on music and the brain.

    Music and the Whole Person

    In our research-based Music Together® classes, the benefits of learning music for children include learning how to sing in tune and how to keep a beat. Another important benefit of learning music is that it can allow your child’s creativity and self-expression to blossom and increase your child’s confidence. 

    Learning music also supports your child’s overall development—something we call Music Learning Supports All Learning®. Active music-making creates unique connections in the brain that support your child’s language, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, too.  To sign up for a Music Together Summer class through In Harmony Music go to >>https://www.inharmonymusicmidtn.com/group-music-therapy-services/ 

    Or Sign Up for a FREE Consolation Session to find out more how Music Therapy can benefit you and/or your loved one

    Schedule Appointment

    Learn More about Music and Neurologic Research

    About the Research behind Music Together: https://www.musictogether.com/about/research

    Music Together / Music Supports All Learning: https://www.musictogether.com/parents/benefits-for-every-age

    Lullabies in any Language Relax Babies: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201019112115.htm

    From Lullabies to Live Concerts:  How Music and Rhythm Shape Our Social Brains: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180327102835.htm

    Music and Autism Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6199253/

    Quick Overview of What is Music Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum: https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-guide/music-therapy

    The American Association for Music Therapy FACT SHEETS of Music Therapy with a variety of populations and diagnoses:  https://www.musictherapy.org/research/factsheets/

    Music Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease:  https://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/JF18p18.shtml

    Singing Therapy may prevent communication impairment in Parkinson’s patients: https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2019/05/17/singing-therapy-may-prevent-communication-impairment-parkinsons-patients/

    Music Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease a Systematic Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8582661/

    Music and Dementia: https://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/news/story1.shtml

    How Music Therapy Could Help People with Dementia https://www.npr.org/2019/12/22/790553867/how-music-therapy-could-help-people-with-dementia

    MRI Shows Differences in Musicians’ Brains

    MRI Shows Differences in Musicians’ Brains

    Music and Dementia with MRI Video: https://best-alzheimers-products.com/music-and-the-brain.html

    Music Therapy in Stroke Patients Improves Brain and Motor Function: https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/music-therapy-for-stroke-patients-improves-brain-and-motor-function/

    Music in Stroke Recovery: https://www.neurologylive.com/view/music-stroke-recovery

    Questions? Feel free to reach out carrie@inharmonymusicmidtn.com

    All the best,

    Carrie Friddell, MT-BC

    aka. Ms. Carrie

    Licensed Provider for Music Together within Therapy Programming

  • Active Music Making during COVID-19 Times

    As September rolls around the corner, I’m closely watching the stats on the spread of COVID-19 and the decisions made on behalf our kids in regard to schooling. Personally, I feel in a bit of limbo, wanting to get back to seeing individuals and groups in person and also knowing that it is still better to stay at home and stay safe. As a parent of two children attending classes virtually at home, it hasn’t been easy for teachers, parents, and the children. The hope I see is that we are all giving ourselves as much grace as possible and acknowledging that this is not an easy task. Currently, my mantra to myself and my children is, “We Can Do Hard Things”. That is, hard things to get through this current time and come out the better for it. Therapy is much like this, sometimes it’s just small progress, sometimes it’s big progress, sometimes it stalled progress, sometimes it’s regress, but good therapy looks at all progress and knows that it’s process over product. We are all this process together.

    Through the Spring and Summer, there were some families, children, and youth who participated in music therapy and Music Together classes over telehealth. What I discovered was active participation and progress even with the barrier of the screen. I know that some folks (including myself) have worried over “screen fatigue” for their children. However, the teletherapy I am offering still includes active music making which works on singing for back and forth communication, movement, following directions, and music enrichment through time to learn about music concepts for cognitive growth and development. It would be a time to sing, dance, and play with the music!

    During this unprecedented time, music therapy over telehealth can offer a fun and active way to engage the body, mind, and spirit through music making. Register your child or youth today! I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

    For the complete schedule and to register go to this link: https://www.inharmonymusicmidtn.com/music-therapy-appointments/

    All the best,

    Ms. Carrie

    Music Together within Therapy offers valuable time spent with your little one making music together!

  • Important Update for August 2020 Going Forward

    Since March of 2020 I’ve seen varying social media posts either saying, “What’s Next 2020?” or “Things I’ve Learned in 2020”. The first statement speaks to the fact that 2020 has brought on some unfavorable changes, thrown us into a pandemic, and completely upended what we think of as a “normal” day or week. The later statement, seems to take a look at the bright side of change and how a person can grow and evolve with the changes. I personally, have felt both sides of these statements this year as some days have been better than others and I have rolled with the punches and also reflected on what is good about life as I know it. It has been a time to adapt to changes and look at how best to adapt to these changes in both home and work life. Even before March of 2020, I have been feeling the need to let go some parts of my work responsibilities. I have also felt the winds of change for a long time even as far back as the Summer of 2018. So, here I am in August 2020 and I’m making some necessary changes to In Harmony Music of Middle Tennessee and I want to let you know about them.

    I’ve been a music therapist coming up on 15 years now, and a Music Together Center Director for 8 years. I love my career! I love making music with kiddos and their parents! However, here is the crux of the matter, I am letting go of the Music Together Family classes and moving my work focus to music for therapy. I have closed my center location at the Groove Room in Hermitage. I plan to reopen my West End location at Blakemore United Methodist Church, when it is safe to do so, to children with special needs including kids diagnosed with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other developmental and intellectual disabilities. I am continuing to offer teletherapy services to children and youth with special needs at this time. Music Together within Therapy uses the music from the Music Together curriculum to children with special needs reach their individual non-musical goals. Non-musical goals can include, increasing communication, strengthening gross and fine motor skills, working cognition skills, and increasing awareness of self and others.

    I will be reorganizing my mailing list and will send out notification and add a new form to my website within the next few weeks. If you are interested in hearing more about Music Therapy services please reach out me directly at carrie@inharmonymusicmidtn.com

    It’s with a heavy heart that I close my Music Together Family classes. However, there are many other great classes offered in and around Nashville and I’ve provided links at the bottom of this page (below the photo gallery) to the four groups I know who continue to hold family classes both online during this time and possibly in person in the near future. I’d encourage you to check them them out, especially, to continue building basic music competence which is so important to early childhood development.

    It is has been a pleasure serving over a hundred families over 8 years though Music Together Family classes! I look forward to continuing to serve as music therapist to many children with special needs and their families.
    Thank you for your support of In Harmony Music of Middle Tennessee!

    I wish you the best in life,

    –Ms. Carrie
    Thank you for all the great memories!

    So many families served! I have loved making music together!

    Check out these great organizations for more Music Together Family Classes!

    East Nashville: https://tennlittlebirds.com/

    West Nashville: https://musiccitymusictogether.com/

    Hendersonville: https://sumnermusictogether.com/

    Nolensville: https://www.musictogetherwithgretchen.com/

    Music Together LLC Class Locator: https://www.musictogether.com/class-locator

    Music Together art and logo design 
    Music Together art & logo design © 1992-2020 Music Together LLC. Music Together is a registered trademark. In Harmony Music of Middle Tennessee is licensed by Music Together LLC. For more locations: musictogether.com – (800) 728-2692

  • Music Therapy Parent Ed Moment: “One Little Owl”

    Hello Parents!  I have a song to share with you today! I use this song in my work as a Board Certified Music Therapist.  Check out this 2 minute video which teaches you the song so you can sing it at your home and lets you know how I use this song in my clinical practice with children with special needs.

    Want to know more about how music therapy can benefit your child?  Sign up for your FREE 30 minute teletherapy consultation to speak directly with me, Carrie Friddell, MT-BC, on how music can target your child’s specific needs.

    Schedule Appointment

    You can also reach me at carrie@inharmonymusicmidtn.com or call at 615-390-3207. 

    Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon!