Tag: in harmony music of middle tennessee

  • Sing! Sing! Sing!

    Think back, when was the last time you belted out your favorite song? How did that feel for you? What is your relationship to singing songs? Car Singer? Shower Singer? Sing as you work? Sing with others? 

    What is singing as it relates to Music Therapy?  Is singing making sounds in pitch and rhythm to create a melody?  Is it an expression of a person’s current moods and feelings in the moment?  Does singing have to be a person who is pleasant to hear and enjoy?  Or, is singing just being yourself in the moment of making music? Do you have to be a “singer” to sing?   Let’s start a conversation about singing.

    As a board certified music therapist,  I believe every individual has the capacity to make music!  Perhaps, not always in use of sounding words in actual voice, but sometimes in the embodied movement to the spirit of the song when the body, “sings!”  Often, at the onset of music therapy, my own singing voice leads at first and then guides an individual or group.  Then, eventually, the client takes over finding the music within themselves in the dynamic therapeutic moment of transformation towards their own personal goals.   I work with a variety of ages each needing special care of their voice.  Research based Neurologic Music Therapy techniques are used to create individualized music therapy experiences for my clients.  Children and adults find their voice within music therapy. The goals with singing vary as it can empower people to communicate in many ways!

     Here are a few examples of clients who have engaged in neurologic music therapy: 

    • 3 Year Old with Down Syndrome in pre language stages of development is learning words through Developmental Speech and Language Training Through Music using songs from Music Together Within Therapy.
    • 20 Year Old with Autism with limited one to two word communication, but can sing whole 4-15 word lyric lines which follow natural speech patterns.  Such as “Hello, How Are You? I’m so glad to see you today!” Developmental Speech and Language Training Through Music techniques are utilized to create new neuropathways of ongoing communication.
    • 25 Year Old with Intellectual Disability who enjoys singing songs about many aspects of her live she loves.  This serves as a jumping off point for discussions of the people who support her and the activities she loves to engage in to enrich her life. Music in Psychosocial Training and Counseling  is the neurological technique used with this client who continues to work  on positive self worth and empowering her independence within her home while it is still safest to live with her guardian parents. 
    • 70 Year Old with Parkinson’s Disease who experiences softening of voice and monotone speech utilizes weekly one hour Therapeutic Singing session to help strengthen his voice to speak up and sound less monotone. 
    • 83 Year Old who experienced Aphasia including loss of expressive language after a stoke, works two sessions a week on both Musical Melodic Intonation Therapy and Therapeutic Singing to increase expressive speech, learn functional phrases, support memory, and read and understand lyrics to songs. I spoke about her journey earlier last year. 

    There is extensive research on these neurological music therapy techniques and can be found at this link

    Neurological music therapy is not necessarily about learning to sing well, but music is the motivator to reach a person’s non musical goals like communication and self expression to enhance quality of life. 

    What is your favorite song sing along to?   What is your loved one’s favorite music activity?   Let me know by scheduling a conversation about how Neurologic Music Therapy can assist you or your loved one’s own goals to increase the quality of their life. Click on the button below to schedule time for a chat soon. 

    “Where words fail, music speaks” – Hans Christian Andersen 

    Be well, 

    Ms. Carrie 

  • 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!

    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