In August of this year we learned that the Health and Welfare Department of Idaho had unexpectedly and arbitrarily decided to designate music therapy as an "experimental" therapy and had immediately begun to deny music therapy for adults with disabilities.  What?!!  Matthew Jordan immediately sprung into action! Making use of his relationship with Senator Lee Heider, who sits on the legislative committee for Health and Welfare, Matthew began the process of reaching out to legislators with the power to affect change in policies set down by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.  

In July Music Makes Connections was able to welcome Bailey Wilson to the MMC team.  Bailey is currently completing her degree in music therapy at Pacific University and we were lucky enough to have her do her required internship with us!  This is one of the many ways that the music therapy community sets themselves apart from music artists and performers.  Advanced training in the use of music to affect psychological and physiological changes in the human body; as well as real-world, practical application opportunities of skills developed.  While interning with MMC, Bailey will have the opportunity to shadow and observe our two music therapists, Matthew Jordan and Ashlee Burgener, as they hold therapy sessions.  Bailey will also be given opportunities to run her own music therapy sessions under the supervision and direction of Matthew and Ashlee.  After  six months with us Bailey will have developed the skills necessary to complete her degree in music therapy, become a board certified music therapist and begin practicing music therapy on her own.  We are excited to be a part of bringing more professional music therapists into our growing community.  

What is a sensory friendly concert and why would I want to go to one?  Good question!!  The idea behind a sensory friendly concert is that those who may have trouble enjoying a traditional concert setting with its unexpected volume changes, darkness and expected audience silences, can come and enjoy a concert experience without those tricky elements.  The music played maintains a steady volume that is a little lower than your typical concert.  The lights are kept on and the audience can shout, move, clap and more whenever they feel like it!  Oftentimes the concert performers will engage the audience members in the music; allowing them to clap and/or sing along, shout suggestions and such.  Now you are probably asking, who wouldn't want to go to a sensory friendly concert?!  Next time you find out that a sensory friendly concert is happening near you, take some time and try it out!  You won't be disappointed.  

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 Thanks to the excellent music therapy skills of Matthew Jordan and Corinne Chadwick, music therapy is now going to be available in eastern Idaho!  Music Makes Connections, a Boise-based music therapy practice, is expanding its services into Eastern Idaho.  We will be in Idaho Falls on Saturday, November 11th from 10:30-12 to give an informational presentation. It will be held at the Piano Gallery recital hall, located at 2995 E 17th St, Idaho Falls 83406. 
We will cover what music therapy is, the therapeutic benefits and how to go about getting services set up. This presentation is geared mainly toward parents but caregivers and support brokers are also strongly encouraged to attend. Spread the word and let's get these beneficial services to those who need it most!