concert time!

Are you feeling the same when I say, "It's December...what?!?!"  Each year, this last month seems to be a little sneakier and creep up a bit faster than the last.  Even though it's hard wrapping my head around the fact that 2013 will be here in less than four weeks, I really do love this time of year.  Family time, a larger collective thought of doing good for others, the coziness cold weather brings (that it is when it's not in the 60s!)...
Something else awesome is the performance that my kiddos at CCA will have in a little less than 2 weeks! It's the second year that it's been held, and will hopefully stay as a tradition.  This is open to family, friends, and community members who wish to show their support and enjoy a little Saturday morning holiday music-making!  All who will participate have been working very hard on their piano, guitar, and vocal pieces- I can't wait to see them in action : )

Whaddaya know?: Facelift, awareness, and networking

Unfortunately, I do know that it's been waaaay too long since I've typed words into this space!  How have you been?  With a lot of days passed, today may be sort of a "catchall!"  I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions, but...a).  as a blog reader, I want pages to be kept up with- so if I want that from others, I must expect that from myself!  b). this is a great, free, way to communicate with other therapists, professionals, families, and community members  and c).  advocacy!

I also know that there have been a lot of changes since I've been in last- one that (hopefully) jumps out rather quickly, if you had been familiar with Music Matters.  My friend Keli at Colette Paperie gave Music Matters a lovely makeover, from the website to my business card to the blog.  I'm really very pleased with the new look, and believe it's one that the company will be able to grow forward with.  Speaking of the company- I'm going to start using "MM" in type here when I refer to Music Matters' name (sorry, no chocolate-covered candies that melt in your mouth : )

In addition to changes within my small world, my larger professional world of music therapy has surely seen an outpouring of attention in the media:  therapists are blogging and social-networking away, ABC news (among others) has highlighted the field in relation to Congresswoman Gabby Giffords remarkable journey and experience with music therapy, Ben Folds attended our national conference last month (cool!)-  just to name a few.  It's been awesome to see the focus on music therapy this year, and I think that social media has been a great catalyst to push more and more awareness to the public.  Therapists have been advocating for quite some time, but the ease with which technology allows us to communicate- in my opinion- really gives us an advantage.
Case-in-point:  I met Lucy, a speech-language pathologist at A Love for Language, via LinkedIn.  In her work, Lucy said she'd never met a music therapist and asked if I would be interested in submitting an article for her website.  Yes, please!  In the next few days, the article- giving an introductory overview of our profession- will be published, potentially reaching other who have never had experience with music therapy...all because we joined each other's online "professional network."

It's nice to be back.  I hope you have a terrific week! (I'll be spending my last few days as a 20-something before my 30's hit on Wednesday!)

walk this way

I do love Aerosmith, but they are not the topic here : ) Walk season is upon us, and next week is Cincinnati's Walk Now for Autism. This is the first year that Music Matters will have a vendor booth (stop by and say "hi!")+ a walk team (which you are very welcome to join!)


What to know before you go:
Where: Coney Island at 6201 Kellogg Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45228

When: Saturday, May 21st
8am= resource fair + registration /// 10am= walk time (1.5 miles) /// 11am= rides open!
Cost: You may join a team without cost, but may make donations to Autism Speaks

5 and Going Strong!

A year has gone by quickly and next Saturday, Families with ASD hosts their [wonderful!] 5th annual Autism Expo. This FREE event gathers service providers from the Cincinnati Tri-State area under one roof, allowing families to access a wide variety of information in a single location, as well as speakers and family activities...sans charge- no payment- zero cost. Attendees will also receive the 2010 edition of the Autism Yellow Pages, created by Families with ASD for...[drumroll, please]...free! This is a great printed resource of service providers, organizations, and physicians who work with those on the autism spectrum.

I will be there, providing lots of interesting information at Music Matters' table. If you can make it, stop by and say "hi," and I hope that you'll walk away from the event with a good deal of valuable information.

What to know before you go:

What: Families with ASD 5th annual Autism Expo

Where: Live Oaks Campus= 5956 Buckwheat Road / Milford, Ohio

Time: 10am-4pm

Cost: did I mention that this is a FREE event? : )

To learn more about FASD and the Expo, please visit http://www.familieswithasd.org/home or http://www.familieswithasd.org/autism_expo.

Batter Up!

Yes, I'm still here (although I was out of town last week...but that's a post-to-be)! A friendly reminder, friends,that this Sunday, June 13th is the Florence Freedom baseball game benefitting Generation Rescue's grant program... and yours truly will be kicking off the game by singing the National Anthem. I'm thankful to be included in this great event. Click here to buy tickets. Hope to see you there!

Save these dates!

There are many events, either benefitting or including special needs individuals, taking place in the Tri-State within the next few months. Explore the links provided, and I hope to see you out and about at some of these happenings!


Williams Syndrome Association: The first national Williams Syndrome Awareness Week kicked off yesterday and runs through the 15th.

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati : Visit DSAGC's calendar page to see many of their upcoming events, including a run & walk. The next MT class is June 9th.

Autism Speaks: Cincinnati's Walk Now for Autism / Autism Walk is Saturday, May 22nd at Coney Island. Registration begins at 8:00am and the walk at 10:00am. In addition to the walk, service providers will be in attendance, and I believe that rides will be open again this year after the walk. I'll unfortunately miss this year's walk. Boo to not attending, but my brother-in-law graduates from college the same day- yay to that!

CCA: The center is offering Teen Night Out on Saturday, May 15th and Parent's Night Out the following Saturday on the 22nd. More information is available here. The 2nd Annual Charity (Motorcycle) Ride will be coming up shortly, also.

Autism 4 Families: A Northern Kentucky organization. Support group meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month 6-8:00pm at Dave's Beanery in Florence. On May 29th, ladies from A4F will be at the Boone County Fairgrounds to sell autism awareness items at BAWAC Craft Show.

Generation Rescue: On June 13th, the Florence Freedom game will benefit Generation Rescue and promote Autism Awareness. Come enjoy a Sunday evening of baseball and support an awesome cause. The game begins at 6:05- gates open 1 hour before- and I believe yours truly is scheduled to be singing the National Anthem! Buy tickets HERE; they're only $10, and by purchasing through this link, Generation Rescue will receive $5.00 of each ticket!

If I've inadvertently missed something big or if you have something that you'd like me to include, please contact me and I'd be happy to share !

Music?-check. Venue?-check. Great Cause?- you bet!

Families with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) is hosting its first ever "Amped for Autism" Autism Ball next Friday. It's sure to be a good time, with live performances that include some important folks from CCA, as well as a special appearance by some members of Melodic Connections' adult group. There will also be a silent auction, with great items to bid on.

Invite friends, family, and have a night out to benefit a very worthy cause!

What to know before you go:

Time: Doors at 7:30. Melodic Connections is the first performance, at 8:00.

Location: Southgate House- 24 East Third Street Newport, KY.

Cost: $7.00 (21+), $10.00 (18-20)

Ages: 18+

ALL proceeds will directly support Families with ASD.

Families with ASD: January Support Group Meeting

Next Friday, January 15th, Kate will be speaking at Families with ASD's first support meeting of 2010. Topic of discussion will focus on music therapy and its use to aid children with autism.

What to know before you go:
Time: 6:00-9:00 pm. Kate will speak for the first 30 minutes of the meeting
Location: Connections Christian Church, 7421 East Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45243. Approximately one mile from Kenwood Towne Center
Ages: All families welcome!
More details available here

Saturday Social Skills @ CCA

Try to say that five times fast! [ I did, and got tongue-tied on the fourth time : ) ]. This announcement is just as fun: The winter session of the Amazing Amigos social skills program, lead by yours truly, resumes Saturday January 9th and ends on February 27th. The one-and-a-half hour small group class uses a variety of music-based activities to encourage socialization with peers, and also includes snack time and opportunities for gross-motor movement. Class size is limited, and only a few spots remain, so please contact CCA for more information and to register.

What to know before you go:
Location: Cincinnati Center for Autism in Fairfield, OH
Time: 11:30-1:00, Saturdays
Age: 3-5 year old

* NEW CLASS OFFERED *

I'm happy to announce that in conjunction with DSAGC- the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati- I will begin leading a monthly evening music therapy class for young children. Classes will be held at Crossroads Community Church in Oakley, 5300 Madison Road, at 6:30pm, and will occur on the second Wednesday of the month. January's class is Wednesday the 13th.
Contact DSAGC at (513) 761.5400 for more information, all class dates, and to reserve your place!

2009 Autism Expo

It's almost time for the 4th annual Autism Expo, presented by Families with ASD. This year's event will be held on Saturday September 26th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Live Oaks Campus 5956 Buckwheat, Milford, OH 45150.
Service providers from Ohio and Kentucky- including Music Matters!- as well as guest speakers, will be in attendance. Lots of free parking and family/ kid-friendly activities!
This event attracts folks not only from the tri-state, but from as far away as New York and Maryland. Hope to see you there!