May 2026
May is packed with exciting updates, new programs, and important resources. Grab a cup of coffee and read on!
Celebrating Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month, and this year's theme — Champion Your Health — couldn't resonate more with the work we do at Note-Able Music Therapy Services! The theme centers on prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. At NMTS, we've seen firsthand for over two decades what research continues to confirm: music interventions for older adults show positive effects across psychological well-being, cognitive functioning, quality of life, and overall well-being. This month, we're proud to honor the older adults in our community, celebrate the programs we've built together, and remind everyone that music is one of the most powerful tools we have for championing our health at every age. Read on to see what we have in store.
— Manal Toppozada, Executive Director
Moving & Grooving: Senior Wellness & Senior Choir at NMTS
Silver Sneakers — Fitness Built for You
In the spirit of Champion Your Health, we are excited to offer a FREE Silver Sneakers workshop, May 20th at noon! Silver Sneakers is a fitness program designed specifically for older adults (but open to everyone!) that offers classes and community connection at locations across the country. Led by certified Silver Sneakers instructor Kim Franchi, the May 20th workshop will feature lots of fun chair-based exercises designed to increase strength and mobility. While NMTS is not yet an official Silver Sneakers location, we are looking forward to establishing regular classes soon!
Visit silversneakers.com/locations/reno-nv to find out more
Senior Choir at NMTS
There's something special about the sound of voices coming together — and that's exactly what inspired the launch of our Senior Choir program. Started by Allie Cheney, one of our adaptive music instructors, the group grew from a deeply personal place: a love of music shared with her grandmother and a firsthand understanding of what music can do for older adults. That inspiration is now an open door for anyone who wants to walk through it.
Senior Choir meets Wednesdays from 1:00–1:50 pm and is open to all adults — no prior singing or choir experience needed. Members explore choral styles, vocal health, and music techniques in a welcoming, community-centered space. Performance opportunities are offered for those who want them, but never required. If you or someone you know has been looking for a reason to sing, this is it. We'd love to grow this group and would be so grateful for you to help spread the word. Click here to visit our services page for more info.
Summer Camps at NMTS — Register Now!
Summer is just around the corner, and we are so excited to bring back our beloved music camps at NMTS! Whether you're signing up a child or joining as a teen or adult yourself, there's a camp for everyone — and spots are filling up fast.
Kids Music Camp July 13–17 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Open to children of all abilities ages 6–12, Kids Music Camp is a fun-filled week of singing, dancing, and making new friends. Cost is $100, with a sliding scale available. Space is limited — don't wait!
Teen & Adult Music Camp July 6–10 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Open to teens and adults of all abilities ages 13 and up, this camp is a fantastic week of music making, movement, and community capped off by a Friday lunch and performance. Cost is $200, with a sliding scale available.
Both camps are held at NMTS, 2590 Orovada Street, Reno, NV 89512. More information will be posted to our website very soon — in the meantime, for questions or to register, please reach out to Nohemy Velasco at nohemy@nmtsreno.org.
Exciting News: New Postpartum Support Groups
We are thrilled to announce that NMTS has received a Renown Health Community Benefit Grant to fund our new postpartum support groups — and we couldn't be more grateful.
Last month, our team joined Renown Health at their grant celebration event, where they distributed over $1 million to 65 local nonprofits working to address our community's most critical health needs. Being in that room alongside so many mission-driven organizations was a powerful reminder of what's possible when a community invests in itself.
Postpartum mental health is real, it matters, and new parents deserve dedicated support. These groups will offer a music centered space for connection and care during one of life's most significant — and sometimes most challenging — transitions. The weekly groups will be an opportunity for new parents to rest, reconnect, and reset. We are so proud to be expanding our services in this direction and can't wait to share more details as the program launches.
A heartfelt thank you to Renown Health for making this possible. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Upcoming Events
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10:00 - 10:30 am at NMTS
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada brings its “Produce on Wheels” program to NMTS from 10:00 - 10:30 am on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
If you’re age 60 or older, come by and get some free produce!
(Clients must be 60 years or older, live in Nevada, have a valid ID and be willing to complete an intake form and survey.)
Get more information here
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Join Silver Sneakers instructor Kim Franchi for this FREE workshop featuring fun exercises that increase strength and muscle movement. Chairs will be available for seated exercises and standing support. Silver Sneakers classes are designed for seniors but everyone is welcome to join!
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Office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day!
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5:00 - 6:30 pm at NMTS
Join us for an evening of music & art!
Event ends at 6:30 pm. Pick up is no later than 6:45 pm. This event is open to all ages and abilities. 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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5:00 - 6:30 pm at NMTS
Let’s dance the night away at this Friday Fun Night event!
Event ends at 6:45 p.m. This event is open to all ages and abilities. 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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Office closed in observance of Independence Day!
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Don’t miss this fun week of singing, dancing, and making friends!
This camp is open to teens and adults of all abilities over the age of 13.
Cost of the camp is $200 - sliding scale available. July 6-10 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
More information will be available soon.
For questions, please contact Nohemy at nohemy@nmtsreno.org
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Don’t miss this fun week of singing, dancing, and making friends!
This camp is open to children of all abilities, between the ages of 6 and 12.
Cost of the camp is $100 - sliding scale available. July 13 - 17 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
More information will be avaliable soon.
Space is limited! To register please contact Nohemy Velasco at nohemy@nmtsreno.org
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April Thank Yous
Thank you to our April donors:
Jeanine Barnes, Melanie Broida, Jason Clark, Renown Health, Sara Danta, Cheryl Eckert, Michael and Stephanie Hix, Waste Management, Patti S Meals, Carol Parkhurst, Kimberly Philips, Bill Roach, Pam Miller Russell, Ken & Doreen Vogel, Katie Grace Foundation, Susanne and Gloria Young Foundation, Elizabeth Zbinden
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Barb Anderson, Susan Boner, Susan Boskoff, Dodie Bryant, Jody Call, Theresa Desautels, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, Nate and Tashina Eng, Wendy and John Firestone, Mary Lee Fulkerson, CeCelia Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Karen Golonka, Lindsey Gross-Tromerhauser, 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, Kay Ellen Kephart, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Deborah Loesch-Griffin, Brad Lund and Trudy Miller, Deanna Lyons, Melanie Mahan, Lynda Mahorter, Stephen Martin, Mary Ann McCauley, 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, Elizabeth Van Zijl, Ken and Doreen Vogel, Lori and Don Welsh, Gina Wertz, Dave Wilson, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young and Jodie Barker
Thank you to our April volunteers:
Beatriz Aguilar, Latoshi Albarran, Jazmine Alisna, Melanie Amezcua-Carter, Laura Armenta Mejia, Vincent Arreola Gonzales, Yudith Arreola Virgen, River Bailey, Gary Biagi, Lindy Black, Jeff Bloyd, Jack Byrnes, Jack Byrnes Care Giver, Jacqueline Contreras Altamirano, Brian Conway, Meghan Cooper, Mallory Cotton, Matthew Cotton, Steevy Danielson, Melissa De la Torre Soto, Maya Delgado, Theresa Delucchi-Florez, Kirsten Duvall, Cheryl Eckert, Debbie Effenberger, Troy Elizares, Rhys Ferrito, Victoria Fong, Shane Forster, Sadie Garcia, Mark Geeson, Tashina Habibian, Jasmine Hickman, Glen Hill, Sukhdip Johal, Matthew Kaempfe, Ginger Kralis, Michael Kwasna, Mike LaBadie, Thonet LaBadie, Michael Lahnala, Dennis Lalonde, Nenita Lirag, Nick Madouse, Rushil Mahadera, Ashley Malek, Dean Mark, Tony Martin, Mary Ann McCauley, Sara McDonald, Greg McNie, Olga Mesina, Nanette Mueller, Mel Munguia, Ayla Nelson, Nery Palomino, Ariel Pelfrey, William Peterson, Whitney Pomi, Adrian Quirarte, Pat Ragains, Alex Raymor, Gabriela Reyes, Abigail Ruiz, Ann Scholtz, Milin Sekhon, Becca Shipley, Charisma Shipley, Daniel Sion, Erin Suarez, Angel Demi Suizo, Bill Sutman, Pat Sutman, Alexander Tavares-Jacinto, Vidhi Thakkar, Tristan Thornburgh, Jennie Tibben, Bania Ticas, Sarah Townley, Mackie Townley-Wilson, Leslie Uy, Angie Valles, John Velardi, Camila Villegas, James Vinall, Rex Warren, Matthew Williams, Jeremy Wilson, Abigail Young.
Volunteer of the Month: Whitney Pomi
Whitney Pomi truly embodies what it means to lead with heart. Her kindness, compassion, and genuine warmth make her a joy to be around, and her presence brings a sense of care and connection to everyone she works with. As Board President and our Volunteer of the Month, Whitney consistently goes above and beyond—showing up time and again to support participants, uplift instructors, and strengthen the community that makes this work so meaningful.
Her dedication does not go unnoticed. Whitney leads with intention, gives generously of her time, and helps create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. We are incredibly grateful for all that she does and are honored to have her serve our organization.
“Volunteering with Note-Able Music Therapy Services is a chance to create community in a truly meaningful way—helping people of all ages and abilities feel seen, supported, and empowered. Together, we can create lasting change by nurturing physical, social, and mental well-being through innovative and inclusive events and services.”
— Whitney Pomi
