August 2025
Hello -
August is International Peace Month, a time to remember the importance of global unity for a peaceful world. It started in 1926 after World War I, when 4,000 pacifists from 30 countries met to find ways to stop future wars. Despite their efforts, many of their ideas have been ignored over the past century. Instead, greed and the hunger for power have grown, causing more inequality, injustice, and oppression around the world.
Rather than just focusing on problems, we should think about what we can do daily to build an inclusive, equitable, and peaceful society. This includes connecting with neighbors, volunteering, supporting local businesses, and standing with people facing injustice, like those with disabilities.
True peace means freedom and justice for everyone. Though this goal may seem idealistic, small actions by many people can help create a better future. By supporting each other and working for justice every day, we can all help the world be more peaceful and just in the years to come.
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
Don’t miss the NMTS Music Makers Showcase! A chance to hear our music therapists perform and MORE!
A Center for Music
and Health
Each year NMTS continues to expand on the vision of becoming a regional center for music and health. A part of that has come from opening up to partnerships that help make healthy foods available to our community.
NMTS is located in one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in Reno, which also has the lowest income per capita. So, when the Food Bank of Northern Nevada reached out to see if we would be open to becoming a food distribution site, we answered with a hearty, “yes!” NMTS now hosts two monthly Northern Nevada Food Bank programs, Senior Nutrition & Wellness and Produce on Wheels.
This past year, we also partnered with Anthem, Western Turf and Hardscapes, Waste Management and Soulful Seeds to turn our back entrance into a beautiful, fully accessible, Garden Courtyard with edible plants. We have all been enjoying the berries and greens all summer long!
On Wednesday, August 13 from 2-4pm, Soulful Seeds is hosting a free Mobile Market in front of NMTS. This event is open to everyone and will feature produce from several Soulful Seeds gardens, along with recipe suggestions and information about the fruits and vegetables being provided.
As we move forward with our exterior renovations, we can’t wait for the large community garden that Soulful Seeds will be able to establish at NMTS. We are so grateful to be able to offer free produce available to our participants and our neighbors - doing our part to help our community be more healthy and whole.
Summer Music Camps
What a fabulous two weeks! First we had our second summer music camp for kids. The Music Therapy Camp, led by Eric and Allie, was a ton of fun. With a “music around the world” theme, the kids played instruments that originated on the African continent, learned an Irish jig, sang a song in Spanish, and so much more! Wrapping up the week with a performance for their family and friends, the kids got to show off their new songs and dances.
Next we had our annual teen and adult music camp. Old friends and new friends came together to make this year’s camp truly special. Campers sang, danced, created art, wrote their own songs and performed at the end of the week. With Elizabeth at the helm, a space was created that allowed campers to express themselves, try new things and connect with other campers.
We love when campers choose to join an ongoing NMTS class or sign up for music therapy or adaptive music lessons at the end of camp to keep music in their lives year round!
A big thank you to the Marshall R Matley Foundation for subsidizing these camps, so we can keep costs low and provide scholarships as needed.
Born to Dance 2025
We need to send out a round of applause to the 40 dancers from NMTS dance classes who participated in this year’s Born to Dance concert, including dancers from our newest Country Dance class. All the dancers were truly amazing! If you missed it, please check out the Born to Dance 2025 Playlist on our YouTube channel.
A second round of applause to our instructors/choreographers, sponsors and of course, all of the family members, caregivers and friends that came out to cheer them on. Thank you all for creating this incredible experience!
A Round of Applause
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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11:15 am - 12:00 pm at NMTS
Through the Senior Nutrition & Wellness (SNW) program (formerly Commodity Supplemental Food Program/CSFP), the Food Bank of Northern Nevada provides a monthly box of nutritious pantry staples to low-income seniors 60 years and over.
They’ll be in the MNTS east parking lot the 2nd Monday of every month from 11:15 am to 12 noon.
(Clients are asked to complete a CSFP application at their first visit, to determine program eligibility. If approved, your application will be valid for 3 years, pending an annual verbal recertification. In order to quality, a recipient must be 60 years of age or older, a resident of Nevada and have an income under 130% of the Federal Poverty Line.)
Get more info here
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2-4pm (while produce lasts) at NMTS
Join Soulful Seeds for free produce from the Soulful Seeds’ gardens, and recommendations for recipes and information about what we’re growing.
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Starting at 7:30p at 100 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501
The NMTS Dance Troupe will be performing FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 ONLY. They were chosen by a panel of local and national dance experts to be a part of Dog Days of Summer Dance Festival along with other amazing Nevada-based dance companies. Don’t miss this free outdoor community event, spotlighting amazing dance and dogs from the SPCA of Northern Nevada.
Bring chairs, a stage is set up on the plaza in front of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.
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12:00 - 1:00 pm at NMTS
NMTS is always looking for people who enjoy spending time giving back to their community. If you are interested in learning more about NMTS programs, meeting other volunteers and finding ways to support NMTS, please register for the next Volunteer Meeting by contacting nohemy@nmtsreno.org or calling 775.324.5521.
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10:00 - 10:30 am at NMTS
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada brings its “Produce on Wheels” program to the front round-about of NMTS from 10:15 - 11:00 am on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
If you’re age 60 or older, come by and get some free produce!
(You must be a Nevada resident, have a valid ID, and be willing to complete a brief Intake Form and Survey.)
Get more info here
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4:30-5:30 pm at NMTS
$10 per person - ages 12+ welcomeLed by certified sound healer, Nichole Schembre. Enjoy a meditative experience that bathes you in sound waves produced by instruments such as crystal singing bowls, percussion, and chimes. Sound baths encourage a meditative state through the vibrations and frequencies of the instruments, which can lead to a release of tension and a feeling of calm. A great way to de-stress!
Registration and payment through THIS LINK - limited attendance. Walk-ins may be available, if there is room.
Comfy dress code. Blanket/pillow/mat encouraged. Participants generally lie on the floor to enjoy this experience. Chairs will be available.
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5:30 - 6:45 pm at NMTS
It’s time to shine! Join NMTS for Fun Friday Night "Open Mic Night" where you get the chance to sing, dance, or play an instrument to your heart’s content!
Event ends at 6:45 p.m. Pick up is no later than 7 p.m. This is an all ages event and individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Event is free but there is a suggested $5 donation to NMTS.
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7:00 - 9:00 pm at NMTS
Get ready to have some fun with NMTS and friends.
Featuring music from The Note-Ables (of course), a Sapphire Jazz Ensemble quintet, a duet by Elizabeth and Peter Lenz, a musical medley by Sam and Allie and MORE!
CLICK HERE to get your tickets!
July Thank Yous
Thank you to our July donors:
Wendy & John Firestone, Briana Leben, Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Reno, Joe Macaluso, Laurie Martin, Stephen Martin, Christine May, Leslie Peters, Stewart Pollock, Gwendolyn Porter, Jeff Sisco, Manal Toppozada, Katie Grace Foundation
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Barb, Anderson, Susan Boner, Susan Boskoff, Dodie Bryant, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, Wendy & John Firestone, MaryLee Fulkerson, CeCe Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Mary Jo Gieseke, Karen Golonka, Sherrie E. Grabot, Carrie Harding, Beverly Hennen, Sharon Hickox & Jenny Tibben, Daniel Hickox-Young, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob & Mel Minarik, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Brad Lund & Trudy Miller, Deanna Lyons, Pam Macy, Melanie Mahan, Lynda Mahorter, Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Mary Miller, Sophie Moeller, Pauline Mooers, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Lisa A Rizzoli, Pam Miller Russell, Cindy Sabatini, Jake Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Sarah & Nate Toney, Elizabeth Van Zijl, Ken & Doreen Vogel, Don & Lori Welsh, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young & Jodie Barker
Thank you volunteers:
Jeff Bloyd, Mallory Cotton, Matthew Cotton, Cheryl Eckert, Matt Ennis, Mark Geeson, Isabel Jimenez, Michael Lahnala, Deborah Loesch-Griffin, Tony Martin, Mary Ann McCauly, Paul McGuire, Greg McNie, Lea Moser, Felicity Phan, Pat Ragains, Patti Rodriguez, Veruka Sakai, Rebecca Shipley, Evan Smith, Dave Stockman, Erin Suarez-Vela, Bill and Pat Sutman, Stephon Van Dyke, Ken Vogel, Laila Wilson