May 2025
Hello -
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, "In Every Story, There's Strength,” resonates deeply with us at NMTS.
Every person has a unique story filled with both challenges and victories. At NMTS, we believe that within each story lies incredible strength. Our music therapy programs offer a safe space for individuals to tell their stories, express their feelings, and share their experiences.
Music connects us and helps us communicate emotions that can be difficult to express. Through our programs, participants learn to embrace their strengths, build resilience, and connect with others.
This month, we encourage you to honor the strength in every story. Share your experiences and support one another. By sharing and listening to each other, we can all work toward creating a community that values understanding, tolerance, and compassion.
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
NMTS’ Fun Friday Night Went “Back to School”
Did we just start a new NMTS tradition?
On Friday, April 25th, NMTS hosted a Dance Party with a “Prom Night” theme. Thanks to our amazing decoration committee volunteers, the Jerry Smith Auditorium looked like an undersea paradise, complete with silver seaweed and jellyfish.
Everyone there was dressed to impress, the live music from Reno’s own Electric Vinyl had the house moving, and it looked like everyone made memories that will last a lifetime.
A Prom Night for Everyone
MUSIC: It’s Like Springtime for Your Brain
Today in the spirit of spring and growth, I wanted to share just a bit about neuroplasticity. Wait, I know that is a big science term but all we’re talking about is the fact that our brain can change and grow over time. Neuroplasticity is the concept that our brains change and function differently based on what we’ve experienced and learned throughout our lives. No matter how young or old you are, your brain is still growing and changing in new and exciting ways.
Music engages a wide variety of brain structures including but not limited to: areas for movements and motor function, centers for planning and decision making, and structures associated with emotions. Music can help with neuroplasticity, because listening to and interacting with music engages all of these brain structures. Over time, as a person continues engaging with music, these brain structures are strengthened and can even lead to positive changes beyond interactions with music. Engaging with music as a part of our daily lives can help us to take advantage of this neuroplasticity process to ensure our brain continues to change for the better.
Here at NMTS, our music therapists are always encouraging new brain growth within all of our participants. Using targeted interactions with music, our music therapists further encourage growth in areas of planning, decision making, movement, as well as recognizing and expressing complex emotions. You can reach out to NMTS and start working with a music therapist to achieve your individual goals or join a group or class to continually support healthy brain development in a variety of ways!
Eric Gieseke, MT-BC, LPMT
Summer is Just Around the Corner!
Don’t miss this fun week of singing, dancing, and making friends! These camps are open to children and adults with disabilities.
There are two sessions: Kids Camp is July 7th thru July 11th, and Teen & Adult camp is July 14th thru July 18th.
Cost of the camp is $100 for kids, and $200 for adults - sliding scale available.
Space is limited!
To register please contact Nohemy Velasco at nohemy@nmtsreno.org
Sign Up Now For Music Camp!
New Faces at NMTS
Nohemy Velasco
As the NMTS Program Support Specialist, Nohemy combines her passion for the arts with her experience in administrative support and community outreach. A Reno native and a proud graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, she holds degrees in Spanish Culture/Literature Studies and Theater Tech/Design. Prior to joining NMTS, Nohemy supported local artists and arts education programming as a Program Assistant at Sierra Arts Foundation. Nohemy has always been an active volunteer with various local organizations and is committed to supporting her community by making the arts accessible, inclusive, and empowering for all. In her free time, if she isn't stage managing or teaching youth art classes/camps, Nohemy enjoys catching up and/or discovering new books and attending local theater productions around town.
Allie Cheney
Allie is an experienced music educator who moved to the Reno area in August 2024 from Orange County, CA and before that, Chicago. She has a passion for helping underserved communities and neurodivergent students. Allie has developed curriculum for Pre-K through college and has taught private and group piano, voice, and ukulele lessons since 2017. A few of her favorite past positions include teaching voice and piano at a private K-8th school, vocal coaching at a high school, and serving as adjunct faculty in the music department at Vanguard University. A classically trained singer and pianist, she received her Bachelor of Music with elective studies in Theater from Wheaton College Conservatory in December of 2021. She is experienced in performing and coaching a variety of styles including musical theater, classical, contemporary worship, jazz, pop, singer/songwriter, opera, and art song. In addition to teaching, Allie has freelanced as a collaborative pianist, choral singer, improv pianist, actor, and worship leader. Currently, she sings with the Reno Philharmonic Chorus and helps lead worship at her church. Allie enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities and firmly believes music should be fun. She’s very excited to be joining NTMS as an adaptive music instructor!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
-
10:00 - 11:00 am at NMTS
Come join your fellow music lovers in an informal jam session! All levels are welcome. Feel free to bring your own instruments or borrow one of ours. Open to all ages and ability levels!
-
We’re looking forward to our annual Spring Recital where musicians, singers, songwriters and dancers will take the stage. Each year there’s an eclectic mix of talent as the performers share what they’ve been working on in their sessions with their friends and family. Some will be taking the spotlight for the first time, while others have been performing for years, but ALL of them have been working hard to prepare for the recital.
The event is free (but donations are always welcome!)
There are two sessions: 11:30 am and 1 pm
-
Join NMTS and Soulful Seeds Tuesday May 6th, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, as we plant in the new Courtyard Garden Beds!
To sign up, click here.
Lunch will be provided. Gloves and tools will be provided, too! Just bring yourself (and a friend).
For more information on the NMTS Courtyard Garden, click here.
Special thanks to our friends at Anthem, Waste Management, and Western Turf & Hardscapes.
#GiveGrowGather
-
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
-
Lunch is on us at our annual High Notes Society fundraiser.
We are excited to give you an update on what your support has made possible over the past year.
We want to share with you the future plans for growth including new programs and partnerships in the year ahead.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Doors and Lunch | 11:30
Program | 12:00-12:50
(Free - RSVP required)
To RSVP, call 775.324.5521, or Email wendy@nmtsreno.org
-
4:30 - 5:30 pm at NMTS
Led by Yoga Your Way LLC founder, Nichole Schembre. Enjoy a meditative experience that bathes you in sound waves produced by instruments such as crystal singing bowls, percussion, and chimes.
FREE - Ages 12+
Comfy dress code. Blankets and mat encouraged.
Space is limited! Please RSVP here
-
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 dena@nmtsreno.org or calling 775.324.5521.
-
5:30 - 6:45 pm at NMTS
It’s time to shine!
Come join us for Open Mic Friday Fun 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.
-
The NMTS offices will be closed on May 26th in observance of Memorial Day.
-
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
Staff Playlist May 2025
May is “National Share Your Story Month”, so we asked the staff to name a song that tells a story.
Manal - “Blood on the Tracks” by Bob Dylan (Full Album)
Each song on this album is a lyric and musical masterpiece, I can't pick just one!
Elizabeth - “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
While I don’t typically listen to it in my free time, it’s one of my favorite songs to sing within a music therapy setting. I love people’s reactions to the song; it often inspires folks to share about their family members or creative pursuits.
Jon - “Come Dancing” by The Kinks
“A masterful confection born of bone deep childhood trauma, The Kinks’ “Come Dancing” is a marvel of pure narrative economy, condensing three decades of familial anxiety and post-war generational drift into nearly five minutes of happy-go-lucky synth pop. Chekov himself never did better.” - @paranoiacs on X
Sam - “Pancakes for Dinner” by Lizzy McAlipine
My song would be Pancakes for Dinner by Lizzy McAlpine. The song speaks for itself.
Nohemy - “Calle 13” by Latinoamérica
it’s more than a song—it’s a living, breathing poem. It tells the story of an entire region, of a people who have endured, resisted, and kept dancing through it all. The lyrics are rich with imagery that feels like home, even if home is a collection of places, memories, and histories. It’s not about borders—it’s about heart, soil, and soul.
Sharon - “If You Get There Before I Do” by Colin Raye
This came to me quickly as my favorite story song. Apparently, it isn't literally a true story but inspired by real things for Collin Raye. I don't listen to country much and it is kind of sad, but I connect to the sentiment of this love.
Eric - “The Gambler” by Fun.
I love the way the lyrics and the music work together in this song to add to the story. Especially the way it slows down in the middle as the main character contemplates losing their lover. This song also features the French horn which is one of my favorite instruments.
Wendy - “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
Whether it’s a meeting of ten or a gathering of 100 or more, NMTS has a space that will suit your needs.
Our facility is fully accessible, and is near the Oddie Blvd exit on the 395 freeway, with plenty of parking available.
From the Jerry Smith Auditorium (capacity 100 - 150) to our conference and education rooms (capacity 20), and everything in between, NMTS facilities have what you need, with state-of-the art audio and video to make your presentations easy and effective.
For more information, email Dena Sweigart or call 775.324.5521.
April Thank Yous
Thank you to our April donors:
Achieve Tahoe, Sandy Backus, Shayne Del Cohen, Wendy Firestone, Julie Machado, Stephen Martin, Patti Meals, Ann Silver, Susanne and Gloria Young Foundation, Darren Tjong and Family
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Susan Boner, Susan Boskoff, Dodie Bryant, Michelle Burke, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, Wendy and John Firestone, MaryLee Fulkerson, CeCelia Gable,Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Mary Jo Gieseke, 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, Dr. Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Mary Miller, Sophie Moeller, Pauline Mooers, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Lisa A Rizzoli, Pam Miller Russell, Cindy Sabatini, Jake and Rachel Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Sarah Toney, Ken and Doreen Vogel, Don and Lori Welsh, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young and Jodie Barker
Thank you volunteers:
Cooper Baumgardner, Wendy Baumgardner, Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Bev Carpenter, Char Choate, Matthew Cotton, Jacob Davis, Cheryl Eckert, Matt Ennis, Sierra Foos, Aaron Furumoto, Gary Furumoto, Mark Geeson, Jasmine Hickman, Mike Hix, Jamie Jepsen, Kalin “KK” Kelderman, Clemence Kiserow, Breanna Knight, Michael Lahnala, Andrea Lenz, Deborah Loesch-Griffin, Victoria Lopez, Tony Martin, Mary Ann McCauley, Greg McNie, Patti Meals, Dr. Olga Mesina, Lea Moser, Carson Nakagawa, Whitney Pomi, Pat Ragains, Kelly Rigby, Patti Rodriguez, Kayden Sampson, Rebecca Shipley, Jake Steinman, Dave Stockman, Bill Sutman, Pat Sutman, Marci Tiffee, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Ken Vogel, Sandy Young