August 2025

Quote that reads, "We know that  we are powerful  not despite the complexities of our bodies, but because of them." by Patty Berne

Hello -

Manal, I will let you choose a quote for the newsletter and I can make the graphic.

Here are a few options, but I thought you might have a more current quotation.

https://everydaypeacebuilding.com/peace-quotes-from-around-the-world/

From the interweb: August is International Peace Month and a time to reflect on the First World War. This International Day was born of a series of tragic miscalculations.

On August 16, 1926, TIME Magazine wrote: “At Rheims, martyred memorial city of World War destruction, 4,000 pacifists from 30 countries assembled last week for the Fifth International Democratic Peace Conference. Nine hundred of the delegates were young Germans, representing almost every German city. At the first session, the present month of August 1926, was proclaimed “international peace month,” the delegates voting to encamp in tents upon the onetime World War battlefields of France through Aug. 29, 'in order to pursue an intensive study of international peace work.'"

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 Wellness

Photo of fruits and vegtables with logos from Soulful Seeds, Anthem, Western Turf and Hardscapes and Waste Management

Each year NMTS continues to expand on the vision of a center for music and wellness. A part of that fruition has come from opening up to partnerships that help make healthy foods available to our community.

NMTS is located in the most densely populated neighborhoods in Reno, and 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 strawberries, greens and services berries this summer.

On Wednesday, August 23 from 2-4pm, Soulful Seeds is hosting a free Mobile Market and distributing produce in our Garden Courtyard. This produce comes from multiple community gardens that they manage throughout Reno and Sparks. They have also committed to managing a community garden here at NMTS, once we get our landscaping completed.

We are so grateful to be able to offer opportunities to have free produce available to both NMTS participants and our neighbors, doing our part to help our community be more healthy and whole.


Photos from NMTS music camps. People playing instruments and performing.

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!

Next we had our annual teen and adult music camp.


Born to Dance 2025

We need to send out a round of applause to the 40 dancers from NMTS dance classes that 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 4:30-5:30 pm at NMTS
    $10 per person - ages 12+ welcome

    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!

    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.

  • 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.


THANK YOU with photo of dancers posing for the camera with shirts that read "Be Kind."

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, Stockman Dave, 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, Erin Suarez-Vela, Bill and Pat Sutman, Stephon Van Dyke, Ken Vogel, Laila Wilson

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