December 2025
Rights are Not Earned,
They’re Owed.
December is Universal Human Rights Month—a global reminder that dignity, access, and opportunity are not privileges. They are rights that belong to every person.
We often think about accessibility in terms of ramps, captions, or Braille. Those are crucial, but accessibility is also the right to be met with patience. It’s the freedom to participate without fear of judgment. It’s being recognized not by limitations, but by opportunities.
Our community at NMTS understands this. Access is not an add-on — it is the foundation of human rights. When someone can enter a space, communicate in the way that works for them, and be supported in their goals, they gain agency, they claim their voice, and they belong.
This month, we honor the idea that human rights begin in small, everyday moments: a musician choosing their instrument, a singer taking a risk on stage, a caregiver seeing their loved one light up in a class, a student finding the language of rhythm when words feel too heavy.
As disability activist Alice Wong said,
“Advocacy is not just a task for charismatic individuals or high-profile community organizers. Advocacy is for all of us; advocacy is a way of life. It is a natural response to the injustices and inequality in the world.”
We are honored to be doing our part to respond to the injustices and inequality in the world, and we are honored to have your support as we try to make the world a better place one note at a time.
— Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
Join Us for the Annual NMTS
Holiday Party
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Wednesday, December 17th
Kick off the season with one of our favorite traditions. Our community-wide Holiday Party is happening Wednesday, December 17 from 4:00–5:30 PM at NMTS (2590 Orovada Street, Reno, NV).
Enjoy an afternoon at NMTS filled with, dancing, caroling, treats, and festive fun for all. Santa will be making a special appearance, and we’ll have performances from The Note-Ables, The Local Vocals, and our Senior Choir.
This celebration is open to everyone—participants, families, caregivers, volunteers, neighbors, and friends. Bring your loved ones and let’s celebrate the holiday season together.
That's a Wrap on Giving Tuesday 2025
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That's a Wrap on Giving Tuesday 2025 〰️
Radical Generosity IS the Way→
& You Proved It.
This year’s Giving Tuesday reminded us—again—just how powerful this community truly is. Together, we raised $31,512.72, and every single dollar reflects your belief in making music, joy, and community accessible to everyone.
Your generosity sustains the heart of NMTS.
Because of you:
Participants will be able to access our sliding fee scale and scholarship funds when cost would otherwise be a barrier.
Music therapy sessions and adaptive lessons will remain available to people of all ages and abilities.
Classes, ensembles, and community events will continue to thrive at NMTS.
NMTS serves more than 3,000 people each year, and your support touches every one of those lives—along with numerous caregivers, families, and community members. The ripple effects of your contribution go further than any of us can see.
We also hope you enjoyed the stories we shared before and on Giving Tuesday. Each video offers a window into the courage, hard work, and growth happening here every day. If you missed them—or want to experience them again—you’ll find the full videos linked below.
Thank you for making this work possible. Thank you for believing in accessibility, creativity, and community. Thank you for believing in our mission. And thank you for playing it forward.
Searching for a Note-Worthy Gift This Holiday Season?
From warm hoodies to tees, tote bags, hats, and band swag, NMTS and Note-Ables Band merch makes holiday gifting easy—and helps support the work you care about.
CHERYL ECKERT
December Volunteer of the Month
For more than a decade, Cheryl has been a devoted friend, volunteer, participant, and advocate for NMTS. Whether she’s lending a hand in our classes, singing with the band, participating in our Senior Choir, or taking the stage in community theater through our Musical Connections program, Cheryl shines bright every step of the way. Her dedication and support is truly note-able!
Cheryl’s contagious energy, quick humor, and unwavering willingness to help are just part of what makes her exceptional.
Thank you, Cheryl, for everything you do—day in and day out!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
IMPORTANT OFFICE CLOSURE NOTICE
The NMTS office will be closed from December 22 through January 2.
We will reopen on January 5. Happy holidays!
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11:00 - 11:30 am 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 at MNTS the 2nd Monday of every month from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.
(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.)
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4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Get in the spirit of the season with music from the Note-Ables, Local Vocals, Senior Choir and more. There will be dancing, caroling, and, a visit from St. Nick!
Free & open to all ages and abilities. Come one, come all!
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5:30 pm - 6:30 pm at NMTS
Led 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!
Ages 12+ welcome.
Donations accepted – walk-ins welcome. Comfy dress code. Blankets & mat encouraged.
Participants generally lie on the floor to enjoy this experience. Chairs will be available.
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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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NMTS will be closed December 22nd-January 2nd for the holidays. Please feel free to call us with any questions at 775.324.5521. We will reopen on January 5th. Happy holidays!
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November Thank Yous
Thank you to our November donors:
Americana Arts Foundation, Ludivina Barragan, Ruth Buffa, Sara Danta, Lindsey Gross, Judy Harrison, Lucille Knight, Kim Lanning, Joe Macaluso and Christine Middleton, Rotary Club of Reno Central, Joanne Stockman, Dena Sweigart, Manal Toppozada, Christine Worthington
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Barb Anderson, Susan Boner, Dodie Bryant, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, Wendy and John Firestone, Mary Lee Fulkerson, CeCelia Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Karen Golonka, Carrie Harding, Beverly Hennen, Sharon Hickox and Jennifer Tibben, Daniel Hickox-Young, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob and Mel Minarik, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Brad Lund and Trudy Miller, Deanna Lyons, Pam Macy, Melanie Mahan, Lynda Mahorter, Laurie Martin, Stephen Martin, Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Mary Miller, Sophie Moeller, Pauline Mooers, Miguel Morales, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Lisa A Rizzoli, Cindy Sabatini, Jake and Rachel Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Sarah and Nate Toney, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Elizabeth Van Zijl, Ken and Doreen Vogel, Lori and Don Welsh, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young and Jodie Barker
Thank you to our November volunteers:
River Bailey, Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Christi Cakiroglu, Matthew Cotton, Robert Daily, Helen De La Cruz, Cara Dennler, Cheryl Eckert, Matt Ennis, Scott Faulkner, Mark Geeson, Mike Hix, Jaidyn James, Kate Kirkpatrick, Michael Lahnala, Crystal Marquez, Mary Ann McCauley, Paul McGuire, Olga Mesina, Joey Parino, Whitney Pomi, Kye Rivera, Rebecca Shipley, Bill Sutman, Pat Sutman, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Mya Ubhoff
