September 2026
September holds some great opportunities for connection…read on!
In this month’s newsletter:
Sips & Sounds, Friday, Sept 11
Dog Days of Summer recap
Friday Fun Night: Talent Show, Friday, Sept 25
Soulful Seeds Pop-Up Market, Wednesday, Sept 30
Rethinking What It Means to Experience Music
This month we are honoring national Deaf Awareness Month. which encourages individuals and organizations to engage with Deaf culture, learn about the challenges faced by Deaf individuals, and promote accessibility and equal rights. Too often when people think of deaf people and Deaf culture, they often just think about what people can’t do. And they stop there. But people who are deaf are of course not defined just by their hearing loss - and Deaf culture has rich history, community, traditions, art, and yes, even different ways to experience and make music! Many of us think of music as something we hear. But music can also be something we see, feel, move to, create, communicate, and experience with others.
One way that Deaf people experience music is through musical sign language interpretation - which is an artistic practice that translates not only the lyrics of music, but also the emotional and musical components as well. You may have seen the fantastic interpretation by Justina Miles at Rhianna’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. If you haven’t, check it out! Of course, there are many deaf musicians - probably the most famous historical figure being Beethoven. However, there are many Deaf musicians who are worth checking out, like percussionist Evelyn Glennie, rapper Sean Forbes, and Beethoven’s Nightmare, billed as the ‘Greatest Deaf Rock Band in the World.’
So what does this mean for music therapy? At NMTS, we strive to meet people where they are and find meaningful ways to engage with music. For some people, that may mean hearing music. For others, it may involve movement, visual communication, vibration, signing, or other forms of musical expression. For some, it may mean all of the above. Everyone deserves to experience music fully in the ways that work for them, even if those ways look and feel different.
— Manal Toppozada, Executive Director
What Will You Discover at
Sips & Sounds?
Sips & Sounds is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to share the interactive music experiences we have in store for you!
Join our music therapists and adaptive music instructors as they invite you to make, shape, and experience music in unexpected ways.
Nate and his electronic music class are leading an interactive electronic music activity where you’ll get to experiment and create.
Elizabeth is hosting a sing-along featuring YOUR favorite songs. Come ready with a song you love to belt out in the car!
Sharon will guide you through an interactive soundscape, where everyone helps build the sounds and atmosphere together.
That’s just a few of the things we have planned at Sip & Sounds.
Of course, there will also be paired food and beverage tastings, good company, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new!
Sips & Sounds
Friday, September 11, 2026 from 6-8:30p
NMTS | 2590 Orovada St., Reno
Get your tickets HERE!
Come play, sing, listen, create—and help support the NMTS scholarship fund while you’re at it!
We can’t wait to make some music with you!
We are also looking for a few more volunteers. Sign up HERE.
When the Desert Whispers, Will You Listen?
We’re excited to celebrate seven dancers from the NMTS Dance Troupe, who recently took the stage at the Pioneer Center’s Dog Days of Summer Dance Festival!
This marks the group’s fourth year participating in the festival, and being part of the event is an accomplishment in itself. The NMTS Dance Troupe submitted a juried application to be considered, and we’re thrilled that their work was selected.
This year, the dancers performed “When the Desert Whispers, Will You Listen?” A piece inspired by the beauty that often goes unnoticed.
The intent behind this year’s work is a simple but powerful reminder: when we slow down and look more closely, extraordinary things can be found in unexpected places.
We think that message is especially meaningful in dance. Sometimes the smallest movement, a quiet moment, or an unexpected gesture can tell us something if we take the time to notice.
We’re incredibly proud of these seven dancers for sharing their creativity, dedication, and unique voices on stage once again.
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch their performance and perhaps slow down, look a little closer, and see what you discover.
Friday Fun Night September: Talent Show!
It’s time to step into the spotlight! NMTS is hosting a Friday Fun Night Talent Show, and everyone is invited to participate.
When: Friday, September 25, 2026 | 5:00 - 6:30pm
Where: NMTS 2590 Orovada Street Reno, NV, 89512
Whether you sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, perform magic, share a favorite poem, or have a talent we’ve never seen before, this is your chance to share it in a supportive and encouraging space.
All ages and abilities are welcome, and the audience is just as important as the performers! Bring your family, friends, and supporters and come cheer everyone on.
There’s no pressure to be perfect. Just come ready to have fun, be yourself, and celebrate the creativity in our community.
A suggested $5 donation is appreciated to support NMTS programs.
Come take the stage, cheer each other on, and enjoy a night of community, creativity, and fun!
Pop-Up Mobile Market: Fresh Veg
As we continue on our mission to create a center for music and wellness, our ongoing partnership with Soulful Seeds is helping us reach our goal.
On Wednesday, September 30, Soulful Seeds is hosting a pop-up mobile market with fresh vegetables from their many community gardens. The market will be open from 3:30-5:30pm (while produce lasts) and everything is FREE!
Stop by, stock up on fresh produce, and enjoy the chance to connect with neighbors and our community. Bring a bag and come see what’s fresh!
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Experience Sips & Sounds, an immersive evening of interactive music experiences, curated beverages, delicious bites, and a few surprises along the way. This special fundraiser supports NMTS programs and services that provide accessible music therapy, adaptive music programs, and inclusive community experiences throughout Northern Nevada. Tickets are $85, or $75 with early-bird pricing through August 28.
Friday, September 11 | 6:00-8:30 PM
Click HERE to purchase tickets.
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The Food Bank of Northern Nevada brings its “Produce on Wheels” program to NMTS each month from 10:00–10:30 AM. This typically takes place on the fourth Wednesday, though dates may vary — please check our calendar for updates. This month’s distribution will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026. 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 us for an exciting evening of talent and self-expression at our NMTS Talent Show! This free event is open to people of all ages and abilities and celebrates the creativity, courage, and hard work of our participants. Admission is free, with a suggested $5 donation to support NMTS.
Friday, September 25 | 5:00–6:30 PM
Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pick-up is no later than 6:45 PM.
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On Wednesday, September 30, Soulful Seeds is hosting a pop-up mobile market with fresh vegetables from their many community gardens. The market will be open from 3:30-5:30pm (while produce lasts) and everything is FREE!
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It's time to get spooky! Join us for the NMTS Halloween Dance Party, a fun night of costumes, music, and dancing for people of all ages and abilities. Admission is free, with a suggested $5 donation to support NMTS.
Friday, October 23 | 5:00–6:30 PM
Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pick-up is no later than 6:45 PM.
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Thank Yous
Thank you to our August donors:
Barb Anderson, Amy Barthel, Kendra Bertschy, David and Lois Bianchi, Sonne Buccalari, Christi Cakiroglu, Allie Cheney, Jason Clark, April Conway, Sarah Coyl, Sarah Deardorff, Sally Duffy, Tahoe Charcuterie Co., Wendy and John Firestone, Kim Franchi, Christine Hanzlik-Wilcox, Sharon Hickox, Michael and Stephanie Hix, Skyler Jones, Skylar Mayhew, Mary Ann McCauley, Dori Mendiola, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, Ted Ohm, Jeanne Pomi, Whitney Pomi, Julie Pomi, Pat and Bonnie Ragains, Joyce Risi, Rebecca Scarpa, Dave Stockman, The Wedge Ceramics Studio, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Bert Wells
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Barb Anderson, Susan Boner, Dodie Bryant, Jody Call, Anonymous, Skyler Dillon & Thomas Lay, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, Nate and Tashina Eng, Wendy and John Firestone, Mary Lee Fulkerson, Eileen Fuller, CeCe Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Karen Golonka and Family, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Carrie Harding, Beverly Hennen, Sharon Hickox and Jennifer Tibben, Daniel Hickox-Young, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob, Ana Johnson, Kay Kephart, Nadia Khan, Lucy Knight, Michael Lahnala, Cathi Litz, 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, Whitney Pomi, Pat and Bonnie Ragains, Lisa A Rizzoli, Cindy Sabatini, Nichole Schembre, Daniel Sion, Jake and Rachel Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Sarah and Nate Toney, Elizabeth Van Zijl, Ken & Doreen Vogel, Lori and Don Welsh, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young and Jodie Barker
Thank you to our August volunteers:
River Bailey, Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Christi Cakiroglu, Char Choate, Matthew Cotton, Claudia Davis, Cheryl Eckert, Natalie Erck, Scott Faulkner, Daphny Graffam, Mike Hix, Kate Kirkpatrick, Michael Lahnala, Tony Martin, Skylar Mayhew, Mary Ann McCauley, Olga Mesina, Whitney Pomi, Milin Seckhon, Becca Shipley, Dave Stockman, Erin Suarez, Bill Sutman
Volunteer of the Month: Erin Suarez!
This month, we are thrilled to recognize Erin Suarez as our Volunteer of the Month! Erin is kind, bubbly, reliable, and always such a joy to have at NMTS. Nine times out of ten, when we need an extra hand, Erin is ready and willing to help. Whether she’s at the front desk, decorating for events, or helping make our events a success, Erin is always there to lend a hand. Erin is such a valued part of the NMTS community, and we truly appreciate her continuous support and dedication. Thank you, Erin, for everything you do!
