by Amy Thomas | Apr 1, 2020
In light of current events surrounding COVID-19, Upstate
Music Therapy Center has expanded our services to include a selection of online
opportunities. Through online music enrichment and music teletherapy we aim to
maintain and increase accessibility to music during this time.
Social distancing can be a lonely experience for many. We
have been empathizing with older adults and imagining what they are going
through knowing they are the at-risk population. Many older individuals may be
living in a senior home, and while they once had many visitors, now the doors
are closed to loved ones. This is a difficult time for families of the elderly
as they cannot experience the companionship and comfort they are used to.
Thankfully, many nursing homes are equipped with technology.
Through teleconferencing via the home, we can provide music enrichment to a
large portion of residents. Additionally, many individuals have access to their
own technology. Whether it be through a smart phone or computer, we find that
communication with loved ones is still possible. With the assistance of staff
and caregivers, it is our hope that we can help older adults utilize this
technology and foster a therapeutic experience.
Upstate Music Therapy Center currently offers a selection of
online music opportunities.
Individual Online Music Enrichment or Teletherapy with
one of our Board-Certified Music Therapists
- Engage through a video conferencing platform
such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Skype
- Music activities and interventions will be
catered to the participant’s preferences, preferred music, and interests
- Choose the duration and focus of the session
when registering
We are eager to start exploring these opportunities for
older adults. It is our hope that we can find a silver lining in this experience,
like technology, to bring comfort and connection to those we love.
If you are reading this and have a loved one who you imagine would benefit from a therapeutic music experience or you know of a nursing home where tele conferencing may be available, please do not hesitate to contact us through email at amy@upstatemtc.com or phone (585) 377-1000.
This blog was submitted by: Katie Hall
by Amy Thomas | Mar 28, 2020
In response to school closings and cancellations, Upstate
Music Therapy Center has been modifying and adapting our services to meet our
community’s needs. First and foremost, we are expanding our services to increase
access to online musical experiences and therapy.
UMTC is excited to work with other agencies in the Rochester
community to continue providing quality music therapy services. In the past
year, we were grateful to establish a relationship with Autism Up, a local non
profit agency. Since 2004, Autism Up has been working towards their mission to “support individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorder, and their families, by expanding and enhancing opportunities
to improve quality of life.”
The members
of Autism Up believe that “Every climb begins with a step.” As a therapeutic
community, we are all taking these first virtual steps together.
Upstate Music
Therapy Center is looking forward to our first collaboration event in response
to COVID-19. On Monday March 30th at 1:00pm, we will be hosting a
free Facebook Live event through Autism Up. Our very own Victoria Moore,
MT-BC will be leading the musical experience. The focus of this Live group is
to provide support for families at home as they navigate the uncharted waters
of homeschooling. Victoria’s musical interaction with the Autism Up community
will be designed to meet a range of ages and abilities, with a focus on music
and movement.
Facebook
Live is a unique platform. Unlike many live events, participants are able to
send messages to the speaker to address in real-time. It is our hope that
through this collaboration we can expand our ability to provide new and
accessible music experiences for individuals to access from home. We encourage you to check out the Autism Up
Facebook and gather your kids to watch the live event this coming Monday.
If you are interested in pursuing additional online musical opportunities with Upstate Music Therapy Center, please check out our updated services and resources.
by Amy Thomas | Mar 26, 2020
Millions of Americans have been asked to stay home and take a pause. Social distancing from others is mandated and when going out to get essential items we are being instructed to remain 6 feet from another person. This is such a strange concept for many, especially children. Schools all over the United States and across the nation have closed realizing that social distancing in a school building is incredibly challenging. Our elders are missing having visitors in their senior homes. This is an unprecedented time and requires us to think differently about how we socially connect with one another.
Upstate Music Therapy Center is offering opportunities to break down the isolation barrier that so many people are experiencing, young and old alike. We are currently offering Online Options for all ages
Individual Online Music Enrichment or Teletherapy with one of our Board-Certified Music Therapists
- Choose a familiar therapist or be assigned to a new therapist
- Engage through a video conferencing platform such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype
- Supporting materials can be sent via email
- Choose the duration and focus of the session when registering
Online Counseling with one of our Licensed Creative Arts Therapists
- Counseling is offered to assist any individual who’s needing to process symptoms such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and other mental health struggles
- The counseling approach is based on a creative arts focus using music, relaxation, mindfulness and exploring avenues for self-expression
- Sign up for a free discovery call to determine if this style of counseling is best for you
We soon will have Pre-School and School Age Music Enrichment Groups that you can enroll your children in that will be conducted by one of our Music Therapists on a Facebook Live Group. All these opportunities are an effort to break down the isolation barrier with music and relationship building through online communications.
Please complete our contact form for more information or to register. Click Here.
by Amy Thomas | Jan 11, 2016
This summer, my husband and I had the opportunity to go on a music-based mission trip to Belize with a local, non-profit organization called Guitars For Glory (GFG). Originally, they had asked my husband to go as the trip videographer, but when they found out I was a music therapist, they saw the benefits of having someone trained in the therapeutic aspect of music and invited me as well. A total of 19 people went on the trip, all whom work typical 9-5 jobs, but are incredibly talented musicians, worship leaders in their churches, spiritual leaders, and all affiliated with and representatives of Guitars For Glory. The guitar company, Fender, donated at-cost 14 acoustic electric guitars, 2 electric guitars, and 1 bass guitar for us to take to Belize. We also brought 2 kajones (box drums), and a petal board for the electric, hand made by one of our team members, who is the owner of Midnight 30 Music. The trip was a total of 7 days and we spent the majority of our time in the city of Belmopan.
We lead and participated in ministry every day, morning, noon, and night. In planning and organizing the trip, we partnered with Praying Pelican Missions, and were sent to lead music and worship training at the church, Casa De Dios. During morning ministry we had a kids VBS, which I had the privilege of leading music, dancing, and face painting. Another morning we visited an orphanage, which was one of the nicest facilities that we visited in Belize. The children were craving attention, making it difficult for the mere 19 of us to attend to and play with what seemed like hundreds of children, all ranging in age. One morning we were able to spend time in worship as a team, lifting up our voices and praising God. We had packed suitcases full of supplies for women and children’s ministry, which we were able to give away during small group time in the evenings.
Our main ministry was equipping the church, Casa De Dios, for worship, so we spent 3 days leading training workshops, including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, keyboard, drum, and vocal lessons. I got to help lead the vocal training and on the first day, we were singing 3-part harmonies to the song, “Holy Spirit.” What a beautiful sound. We were able to give away all of the instruments that we brought to the church, Casa De Dios, and to some individuals that attended the music training.
For evening ministry, we lead worship in different places. The first night we arrived, we were waiting at Casa De Dios for the bus to pick us up. They were having their church service, but there was a Spanish language barrier. The church began singing a song in Spanish that some of us from GFG knew in English, so we were able to sing with the congregation, but in different languages. That’s when I realized that the power of God through music truly transcends all language. It was an incredible moment. The following night we lead worship in a street, shutting down a neighborhood street and inviting locals to come worship with us. Another night we lead worship outside of a high school and people gathered on a football field. That night it began raining really hard, so everyone tried to cram onto the small school porch. After a few minutes everyone started slowly going back out in the rain and continued worshiping. A little rain can’t hold us back!
While we were in Belize, we did get to see and experience the beauty of the country. We ate amazing food every meal that the pastor’s wife fixed, under the shade of a huge almond tree. We went cave tubing in the rainforest, seeing bats, crystals, stalagmite, and stalactite. We also rode in a water taxi out to one of the Keys and went snorkeling in the Caribbean in the second largest coral reef in the world. Later that day we swam with stingrays and nurse sharks. If you’ve never touched a stingray, they are super slimy! We also got to rub a shark’s belly, which is bumpy and tough. It was only moderately terrifying with these animals swimming around our legs. 😉
It was truly an incredible mission trip. It is possible that we will be going back next summer to equip other churches in Belize for worship. I feel so blessed that I not only got to experience the power of music in Belize, but that I get to experience it every day as a music therapist. What a gift.
You can find out more information about each organization as listed below:
www.guitarsforglory.com
www.prayingpelicanmissions.org
www.midnight30music.com
Mollie Flasch
by Amy Thomas | Apr 28, 2015
Music Therapists Erin Valvo, Joel Page and Gina Schuster participated in the 4th annual MATT Fair (Managing Autism Together Today) on Saturday April 18th at the ESL Total Sports Experience in Spencerport. While there, these therapist’s met with other professionals in the special education, health and wellness, and agencies working with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They also were able to meet parents and grandparents and speak with them about how music therapy could contribute to their child’s education; how to get a referral for a music therapy evaluation; and/or how music therapy works in the special education setting. If someone stopped at our table they also were invited to make an instrumental out of recyclable materials such as bottles, cups, paper towel tubes and containers, then jam out to their favorite song. Joel Page even made a drum set out of card board boxes, pots and pans and had kids come by and try it. Overall it was great day and a fun experience for everyone!!
by Amy Thomas | Mar 3, 2015
Managing Autism Together Today (MATT) is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization focused on supporting parents, children, and families affected by Autism. Our mission is to make it easier for families to locate, obtain, and use the community resources that are available to their special needs children in the Greater Rochester, New York area, so that these children can live happy, healthy, and productive lives.
On Saturday, April 18, 2015, 9am-1pm, Managing Autism Together Today (MATT) will be hosting our 4th Annual Autism Spectrum Connection Fair at the Unity Health System Total Sports Experience, 880 Elmgrove Road, Rochester, NY 14624. This will be a free community event that will connect parents who have children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with the agencies, businesses, and organizations in the Greater Rochester, New York area that provide Autism services, support, and information. MATT would like to invite you to participate in this 4th Annual Autism Spectrum Connection Fair.
The Autism Spectrum Connection Fair will be an informative and fun-filled family day, where parents/guardians will have an opportunity to come face to face with representatives from a variety of wonderful businesses and organizations in the Greater Rochester, NY area that provide services and support to those affected by Autism.
In addition, this event will be opportunity for special needs children to come have fun. MATT will provide bounce houses, games, and other activities for children of all ages that attend with their parents/caregivers to enjoy.
