October
2023
Video of NMTS renovations.
Hello –
Wow, this is so beautiful! The sound in here is amazing, I can actually feel the difference in my bones. The color of the therapy room walls is so soothing. I feel so calm when I walk into the room. Wow, we have automatic doors, I don’t have to ask for help to get inside! The dance studio feels so professional. I can’t wait for my friends to see this!
Those are just some of the comments I’ve heard over the past couple of weeks as people have experienced our new therapy and programming spaces for the first time. All of our hard work to create a regional center for music and health is paying off. We want to share it with everyone! So please feel free to reach out if you’re interested in a tour. We also have video tours that we’ve been sharing online so make sure to connect with us on our social media sites to stay up to date on the latest NMTS happenings. I am so grateful for our community’s support and encouragement over the past year – we still have a way to go but the vision is coming to life. And now we are truly able to say that it has all been worth it :).
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
Welcome Eric!
Meet Eric, our newest music therapist! After volunteering at NMTS from 2016 through 2019, Eric went to study music therapy at Utah State University where they worked with children and adults of all abilities in a variety of settings. While in school Eric also worked as the teen development director at the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Utah before moving on to become the director of the Cache Pride Center working with high-risk LGBTQ+ youth. After completing their studies Eric went on to complete their internship at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, where they worked with a team of expressive therapists in a pediatric hospital setting. Eric is a classically trained vocalist and always loves to encourage everyone to use their voice (especially people who say they are "bad" at singing). In their free time you can find Eric exploring the great outdoors, hanging out with their dog, or enjoying local shows.
"I hope to help people achieve their personal goals using one of the most powerful catalysts of all, music." -Eric
New Classes
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Musical Connections is an opportunity for individuals 13+ to explore various musical theater techniques and processes that can support growth in social/emotional skills and can support community connection. Through this process, individuals will have the chance to explore original songwriting, emotional expression through performance-based workshops, vocal health education, movement to music, and solo/group performance opportunities.
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Caregiver Support Group is designed to provide stress relief for those that provide care for others. This is a chance to use music to express emotions and make connections in new ways. A music therapist will lead the group in finding ways to find joy and peace in a complicated life utilizing a familiar tool: music.
10/3 & 10/5, 10/10 &10/12, 10/17 & 10/19, 10/24 & 10/26
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Intro to Guitar Class is designed for anyone who ever wanted to learn to play the guitar and never has. A music therapist will gently take the participants through the basics of the guitar and how to play it. She will support them emotionally and musically through the task of taking on this new challenge.
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Through song, instrument play and movement, this group will stimulate and enhance musical, social, physical, and emotional growth and development. Caregivers and children will have the opportunity to connect with each other through music making and social connection focusing on communication, fine /gross motor development, emotional regulation, attention span, listening and creative expression.
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This group is a unique musical place where children with all abilities can join us for music making and meeting new friends. Music experiences in this group are designed to support communication, encourage social engagement, and foster creativity and imagination using instruments and songs. Children will have opportunities for personal empowerment and socialization in a fun and engaging group setting. All children with various communication methods seeking peer to peer interactions are welcome to attend.
Help Us Design NMTS' Outdoor Grounds
We are excited to announce a new phase in our building project! We are turning our attention to the outdoor spaces and how they can best serve you, your family, and this community. And we need your input!
Please fill out the short survey (linked below) to help us in this process. Together, we will create wonderful outdoor spaces for future performances, groups, camps, and more.
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/46onSiDiBL3TQfMu8
Thank you for your input!
Staff Song Picks
Music is important to ALL of us! Here is a playlist of songs our staff picked for you! These are songs that we have been resonating with recently and have been playing on repeat.
Manal - Noah Kahan - Northern Attitude
Both the music and the lyrics of this song are like a personal anthem - he is proudly stating who he is and where he came from, while also acknowledging that he may need to ask for forgiveness for his attitude at times. But the lyrics also feel hopeful - even if we are the product of our environment our attitudes can shift as our circumstances change.
Wendy - Rhiannon Giddens "Louisiana Man" on Austin City Limits
I am a BIG Rhiannon Giddens fan. Her voice, her music and her soul move me. In addition to being an incredible vocalist and musician, she is a historian as well. Somehow, I can feel the history in her music. I love this live version of Louisiana Man, and it is a great example of her incredible talent.
Dena - Whistling Past The Graveyard
I love Halloween and this is a good one. 👻🧟♀️🪦
Sharon - Lil' Troy - Wanna Be A Baller
This song comes from the Men's Unit in the Washoe County Sherrif Office- they had mixed things to say about it, but basically, there must be a life better than this, living and struggling in poor neighborhoods, generational poverty and violence.
Elizabeth - I Hear The Rain · Violent Femmes
Listening to folk punk jazzes me up! I've been exploring Violent Femme's albums lately. Their angst combined with their sweetness helps me release stress while also noticing the glimmers in my day.
Sam - Paul Russell - Lil Boo Thang
This song, to me, raises my spirits and anytime I hear it, I have to get up and dance. I already loved the song “Best of My Love” by The Emotions, but Paul did such an incredible job adding his own flare to it. Definitely a feel good song!
Eric - Wingtip - Happiness
like this song because it reminds me to hold on to this feeling that I have right now with starting this new job. I am so excited to be here at NMTS and hope I can retain this joy as long as possible!
Nate - Potions - The Formation
This song is a kaleidoscope of sonic frequencies that tickles my brain in the best way. The ambiguity of the one and only simple vocal phrase, “the formation” allows the listener to construct their own meaning of what is actually forming in their mind’s eye.
Cony - La Fiesta - Pedro Capó
Sarah - Phoenix - Tonight featuring Ezra Koenig
I can listen to this on repeat forever.
Upcoming Events
Halloween Party | Wednesday, October 25th, 3-4:30pm | 2590 Orovada St, Reno
Join us in some spooky fun, music, and dancing! Costumes encouraged!
September Thank Yous
Thank you to our September donors: Anthem Medicaid, Hon. Louise Bernstone, Kendra Bertschy, Wendy and John Firestone, Carolyn Gifford, Michael and Stephanie Hix, Join Together Northern Nevada, Brad Lund, Sophie Moeller, NARFE Reno Chapter 0142, Nevada Museum of Art, Sierra Music Society
Extra thanks to our monthly giving crew: Barb Anderson, Dodie Bryant, Michelle Burke, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, MaryLee Fulkerson, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Mary Gieseke Jo, Karen Golonka, Beverly Hennen, Jennifer Tibben & Sharon Hickox, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Deanna Lyons, LuAnn Miller, Pauline Mooers, Meghan Ochs, Rikki Powers, Lisa Rizzoli, Jake & Rachel Steinman, Judith Stewart, Sarah Toney, Ken & Doreen, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, and Tim Young
Thank you volunteers: Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Leif Christensen, Bev Carpenter, Cheryl Eckert, Judy Garcia, Mark Geeson, Alice Green, Jill Hemenway, Andy Hughes, Jamie Jepsen, Aaron Kirkpatrick, Michael Lahnala, Peter Lenz, Sophie Moeller, Jeanine Mooers, Miguel Moreles, Pat Ragains, Greg Raymond, Patti Rodriguez, Debbie Session, Becca Shipley, Dave Stockman, Marci Tiffee, Walt Tjong, Ken Vogel, Jon Wilson, Hiroka Winter, Shiho Winter, and Tembra Wright
