July 2025
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July is Disability Pride Month. It was established in the US in part to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990, and is now celebrated around the world. The month is intended to celebrate the history of the disability rights movement and the contributions of disabled activists.
This month, I encourage you to learn about disability history and activism in this country. Learn about leaders such as Judy Heumann, Stella Young, Keith Jones, and Imani Barbarin. And if you are interested in disability and performing arts, I'd encourage you to discover Patty Berne, who passed away in May. Patty was one of the founders of the San Francisco theatre company Sins Invalid, and was a longtime advocate for disability justice, solidarity, and celebrating diversity in all of its forms.
I hope that you take some time to read, watch, listen to, and learn from the people I've linked here, and use their voices as inspiration to learn more about the rich tapestry of disabilities in our world. Happy Disability Pride!
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
Born to Dance
For the past eight years, dancers from the NMTS dance classes have been taking the stage at the annual Born to Dance concert. It is an opportunity for their friends, family and community to see what they have been working on in class and provides a venue for them to show off their inner divas.
“Performing is always optional for the dancers, but I began to realize that they thrived whenever they had a chance to perform at NMTS events,” explains Wendy Firestone, one of the NMTS dance instructors. “At one point I realized that we had enough choreographed dances to do a full-length dance concert, and once we started, the dancers were not going to let us stop!”
We hope that as a supporter of NMTS, you will consider coming out to cheer on the dancers. This year’s concert will have performance from four NMTS dance and movement classes, including our newest Country Dance class. Born to Dance takes place on Friday, July 25, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. This is a free event with a suggested $5 donation per person.
“I promise that if you make the time to come to Born to Dance, you will leave with a smile on your face! The dancers can’t wait to perform for you,” guarantees Firestone.
Summer’s here and the time is right!
Elevating Education through Performing Arts
This year, The Note-Ables were chosen to participate in the Pioneer Center Youth Program (PCYP). The PCYP delivers exceptional performances by talented professional artists at public and private elementary schools, public libraries, and community centers throughout Washoe, Carson, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, and Storey Counties. Their goal is to develop an interdisciplinary roster of artists that utilize music, dance, theater, and more to engage K-5 students in innovative, exciting, and interactive methods of learning.
Through this program, The Note-Ables performed at three elementary schools, four public libraries, and the Club at Rancharrah. Traveling as far as Lovelock and Incline Village, the band not only performed some of their greatest hits, but also spread their mission to shatter the stereotype that people with disabilities have limited talents and abilities.
One of the most memorable moments was stopping by the “love locks” at Lovelock to snap a few photos. “I am so grateful to the PYCP staff for their support over the past year,” said our executive director Manal.. “Their shared values of access, advocacy, and inclusion made this partnership an absolute success. It was also wonderful to see the professional and musical growth of The Note-Ables band members over the past year.”
It was a fantastic experience for the band! And it was an even more fantastic experience for the hundreds of children and adults who got to hear, sing along with, and dance to a group talented musicians who happen to have disabilities. In response to the survey question, “What did you learn from the performers,” one child wrote, “to not give up and that everyone can do things if they try, even if they have disabilities.” Well said!
“Seeing Greg was one of the highlights of my week,” said Nate. “He inspired me to work harder and be a better person.”
For many years Greg volunteered weekly in Exploring Music I, and when we moved to Orovada he volunteered countless hours helping to set up our new space. He willingly shared his story and was a great ambassador for NMTS. His sweet spirit, willingness to give and kind heart will always be remembered.
Thank you Greg for your friendship, your support and your smile that brightened all our days. You inspired us all!
In Loving Memory
It is with a heavy heart that NMTS says goodbye to a participant, volunteer, supporter, and friend, Greg Raymond.
Greg first came to NMTS more than eight years ago looking for guitar lessons. As the years went on, Greg often mentioned that the support he received at NMTS aided greatly in his sobriety and his mental health.
Through the years, Greg worked with many NMTS music therapists and staff including Jodi, Em, and most recently Nate. When Greg told Nate that a music teacher once told him that he had no rhythm, Nate suggested that they work on percussion a little at the end of their lesson. Once, when they had a particularly satisfying drumming session, Greg smiled and said, “well I guess that teacher was wrong.”
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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9:30 am - 12:00 pm at NMTS
Please reach out to Nohemy for details: nohemy@nmtsreno.org
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11:15 am - 12:00 pm
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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For more information about this camp, please reach out to Nohemy at nohemy@nmtsreno.org.
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10:00 - 10:30 am
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada brings its “Produce on Wheels” program to the east parking lot 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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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 our programs and volunteer opportunities, please register for our next Volunteer Orientation (12-1pm on the 4th Friday of each month) by contacting nohemy@nmtsreno.org or calling 775.324.5521.
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5:30 - 7:00 pm at NMTS
Born to Dance in NMTS’s annual dance concert. This year will feature dancers from four NMTS dance classes, including our newest class, Country Dance.
We hope you will come out to cheer on the dancers and fill your hear with joy!
Event ends at 7:00 pm Pick up is no later than 7:15 pm. 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.
June Thank Yous
Thank you to our June donors:
Julia Barry, David & Lois Bianchi, Cheryl Eckert, Judith Ethridge, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Peggy & Tom Hall, Lisa Hickman, Michael & Stephanie Hix, Meadows Bank, Kim & Doug Lanning, Stephen Martin, Dan O'Bryan, Ellen O’Malley Eng, Carol Parkhurst, Sergio Sanchez, Marcille Tiffee
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Susan Boner, 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:
Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Bev Carpenter, Leif Christensen, Matthew Cotton, Jacob Davis, Cheryl Eckert, Matt Ennis, Sierra Foos, Mark Geeson, Jasmine Hickman, Mike Hix, Jaime Jepsen, Kailin "KK"Kelderman, Breanne Knight, Michael Lahnala, Tony Martin, Mary AnnMcCauley, Paul McGuire, Greg McNie, Olga Mesina, Felicity Phan, Whitney Pomi, Pat Ragains, Patti Rodriguez, Rebecca Shipley, Jake Steinman, Jenny Sterling, Dave Stockman, Bill Sutman, Pat Sutman, Marci Tiffee, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Ken Vogel