OUR PROGRAMS:
“All Abilities Rock” – Community music workshops, adaptive music education/mentorship, and sensory-friendly concerts and music experiences for children and adults with disabilities or special needs
“Play It Forward” – A cooperative effort to offer donated musical instruments, music scholarships, and mentorship to low-income or at-risk individuals who commit, in return, to donate their time and talent to someone in need
“Feeding The Soul” – A series of musical performances and engagement at hospitals, nursing homes, memory care facilities, VA Centers, rehabilitative centers, hospice care, homeless shelters, etc.
SERVICES:
*Financial assistance and referral to music therapy sessions from a Board-certified Music Therapist
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*We are currently on a 6-month waitlist due to demand for services
To apply for support, please fill out our general application for consideration. All submitted information is confidential and may take up to 30 days to process. Support from MMMF is based on immediate need and available funding. Get started here: Apply for support
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We believe in both the medical practice of Board-certified music therapy as well as the use of music in a therapeutic way such as adaptive music education, live performances, experiences, and music access in the community. They are two very different approaches, and each has life-changing benefits depending on the situation and need. To learn what the medical practice of music therapy is and how it is used, visit https://www.musictherapy.org
MUSIC THERAPY VS. MUSIC USED IN A THERAPEUTIC OR BENEFICIAL WAY
Music itself can be utilized in many ways to improve the quality of lives. What is the difference between Music Therapy and other approaches to use music in a therapeutic or beneficial way? Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed music therapist.
Music Therapy as a Board-Certified Practice:
Music therapists must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy from one of AMTA’s 72 approved colleges and universities, including 1200 hours of clinical training.
Music therapists must hold the MT-BC credential, issued through the Certification Board for Music Therapists, which protects the public by ensuring competent practice and requiring continuing education. Some states also require licensure for board-certified music therapists.
Music Therapy is an evidence-based health profession with a strong research foundation.
Music Therapy degrees require knowledge in psychology, medicine, and music.
Music used in a therapeutic or beneficial way:
Music performance and engagement at hospitals, rehabs, memory care facilities, VA centers, homeless shelters
Musical outreach in communities
Musical access for underserved and special needs populations
Music scholarships and mentorships
Music used for meditation and healing
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Music is powerful! Clinical studies prove music can:
• Aid in recovery of speech, memory, and motor coordination for victims of stroke, brain injury, Aphasia or Apraxia
• Ignite memory connection and help mood stabilization for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
• Promote healing progression for Cancer and life-altering diseases / pain management
• Improve communication and regulation, cognitive, emotional and behavioral skills for Autism Spectrum Disorders/ ADHD/ OCD/ Sensory Processing Disorder/ Down’s Syndrome/ developmental challenges
• Restore purpose, hope, strength, connection, relief and discipline for those fighting physical or substance abuse, PTSD, bi-polar disorder, depression, stress, grief, anxiety, bullying or low self-esteem
• Connect neural pathways for Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, stutter, stammers, and tics
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Reasons to support Music Education:
Develops language and auditory skills
Increases memory and motor skills
Teaches discipline, focus, goal-setting, and responsibility
Improves team-building, social skills, and self-confidence
Allows for emotional development, connection, and engagement
Builds imagination, creativity, reasoning, and intellectual curiosity
Improves academics, test scores, attendance and graduation rates
Promotes empathy, cultural diversity, inclusivity, and social mobility
Fun facts about effects and benefits of music:
Engages every part of the brain, connecting left and right hemispheres
Reduces the stress hormone Cortisol and inflammatory cytokines
Releases Serotonin and Oxytosin
Stimulates the regeneration of brain cells
Organizes neural pathways and connections
Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
Regulates mood and temperament
Acts as emotional and physical gear-shifter
Boosts immune systems and oxygen levels
Enhances cognitive function and focus
Improves memory and recall
Ignites primal rhythm and motor ability
Synchronizes brain waves engaged in music