October 2025
Alzheimers awareness month draft
An estimated 7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, and projections suggest that number will reach 13 million by 2050 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2025). As rates of dementia increase, so does the need for interventions that support cognitive health and quality of life.
At Note-Able Music Therapy Services, evidence-based practice meets lived experience. A 2025 Brain Sciences review identified singing and choir participation as effective interventions, demonstrating measurable improvements in verbal fluency, executive function, and emotional well-being (ResearchGate, 2025). These findings reinforce what our music therapists have observed: that music activates neural pathways, enhances mood, and sustains social connection even as dementia progresses.
The new Senior Choir, led by Adaptive Music Instructor Allie Cheney, embodies this approach. Allie’s inspiration came from her own family experience—her grandmother, who lived with dementia, could still recall and sing beloved songs. “Music breaks barriers,” Allie reflected. For her, and for many others, music remains a bridge to connection, peace, and shared humanity.
Through initiatives like the Senior Choir, NMTS continues to demonstrate how community-based music programs can enhance cognitive health and emotional resilience—reminding us that while memory may fade, music endures..
Watch Party at NMTS
ADA Law “Know Your Rights” Webinar
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 12:00–1:00 pm (PST), the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities is hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
This session, “Know Your Rights – ADA Law”, will be presented via Zoom by Ednin D. Martinez, Assistant to the United States Attorney in the Civil Division, and will cover the protections the ADA provides and why they matter.
At NMTS, we’ll be tuning in together! Local disability advocate Mary Bryant will be on site to help guide discussion and support participants as we engage with the Zoom session. We’ll also provide snacks and space for note-taking.
Where: NMTS (live Zoom viewing)
When: Wednesday, October 22 | 12:00–1:00 pm PST
Presenter (Zoom): Ednin D. Martinez, Assistant to the U.S. Attorney (Civil Division)
On-site host: Mary Bryant
RSVP: Please let us know you’re coming via phone or email: 775.342.5521 or mail@nmtsreno.org
Please note: this webinar is hosted by the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities—we’re simply offering a welcoming space at NMTS to join together.
Let’s Play it Forward This Giving Tuesday
Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point. If you sell something, use this space to describe it in detail and tell us why we should make a purchase. Tap into your creativity. You’ve got this.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Something for Everyone at NMTS
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
-
11:00 am - 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 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
-
6:00 - 8:00 pm at NMTS | FREE with a 5$ Suggested Donation
Hosted by the Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (dsnnn).
David is taking over the first night of the Lucky Few Fall Festival and hosting a Disco Dance Party! Come dressed in your rhinestone cowboy gear or Halloween Costume and get ready for pizza and dancing! The party will be hosted at Note-Able Music Therapy Services and is open to all ages. Children under the age of 12 must have a guardian stay for the duration of the party, but we encourage parents of all attendees to stay. For more info and to register, click HERE.
-
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
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!
$10 per person - Ages 12+ welcome
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 pm - 6:45 pm pm at NMTS
It’s time to get spooky! The NMTS Party is your chance to dress up and dance!
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.
-
Location: 147 E Pueblo Street, Reno, NV | Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Cost:
Dance Dance Detective: An Original Musical
Join us at Reno Little Theatre on October 25 at 1:00 PM for the premiere of Dance Dance Detective—an original musical written and composed by NMTS’s Musical Connections class, with live accompaniment by The Note-Ables Band.Click HERE for more information.
-
4:00 - 5:00 pm at NMTS
Let’s celebrate the season with our annual Fall Showcase!
Join us for a night of music, movement, and community spirit—fun for all ages! This evening will feature performances by NMTS music and movement classes and many more!
Sign up for our monthly newsletter and be the first to know about events and happenings at NMTS!
October Thank Yous
Thank you to our October donors:
Allie Cheney, Anthem Medicaid, Barb Anderson, Barbara Fenne, Bob Alessandrelli, Cherry Bottoms Beauty and Aesthetics, Fred Jakolat, Jeanette Martin, John S. Edgecomb, Joseph Woolford, Karen Reynolds, Karen Tomasello, Katie Grace Foundation, Kendra Bertschy, Lisa A Rizzoli, Lindsey Gross, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Lori Porter, Manal Toppozada, Mary Lee Fulkerson, Melanie Scott, Michael Hix, Miguel Morales, Molly Fried, Nohemy Velasco, Olga Mesina, Pat Ragains, Patricia Fried, Patti Gross, Peter Lenz, Rebecca Scarpa, Ruben Garcia, Sandra Cruz, Sandra Kell, Sharon Hickox, Stacie Hartze, The Wedge Ceramics Studio, Wavedance Fund, Wendy Firestone, Whitney Pomi
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Ana Johnson, Andy Hughes, Beverly Hennen, Brad Lund and Trudy Miller, Carrie Harding, CeCelia Gable, Cheryl Eckert, Cindy Sabatini, Daniel Hickox-Young, Deanna Lyons, Dina Hunsberger, Dodie Bryant, Elizabeth Van Zijl, Gina Wertz, Heather Gage, Jake and Rachel Steinman, Jody Call, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Jonathan Wilson, Judith Stewart, Karen Golonka, Ken and Doreen Vogel, Laurie Martin, Lee Moran, Leslie Doukas, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Lisa A Rizzoli, Lori and Don Welsh, LuAnn Miller, Lucille Knight, Lynda Mahorter, Mary Jo Gieseke, Mary Lee Fulkerson, Mary Miller, Meghan Ochs, Melanie Mahan, Michael Lahnala, Miguel Morales, Nadia Khan, Olga Mesina, Pam Macy, Pauline Mooers, Rachel Gattuso, Sandra Young, Sandy Jacob and Mel Minarek, Sarah and Nate Toney, Sharon Hickox and Jennie Tibben, Skyler Dillon, Sophie Moeller, Stephen Martin, Susan Boner, Tiffany Dunseath, Tim Young and Jodie Barker, Wendy and John Firestone
Thank you to our October volunteers:
Bill Sutman, Cheryl Eckert, Christi Cakiroglu, Crystal Marquez, Danelle Moser, Deb Loesch-Griffin, Jake Dunn, Jaidyn James, Jasmin Morales, Jeannie King, Joey Parino, Juliana Carmona, Kat Thomas, Kate Barnecki, Kate Kirkpatrick, Kathleen Haupt, Kendra Bertschy, Ken Vogel, Leif Christensen, Leah Moser, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Mary Ann McCauley, Matt Ennis, Matthew Cotton, Maya Delgado, Michael Lahnala, Mike Hix, Mya Ubhoff, Olga Mesina, Pam Russell, Pat Ragains, Patti Rodriguez, Paul McGuire, Rebecca Shipley, Scott Faulkner, Sophie Moeller, Tony Martin, Whitney Pomi, Xena Delgado