Learn About the Therapeutic Power of Music

Oct. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Musical talent manifests differently in every person. For some people, it is a creative expression that may make them a star or it can be a desire and ability to share music with others in a very different way as a powerful scientific tool. It can be a key to unlocking memories, expressing feelings and producing healing results that no medicine can.  Thousands nationally, including former US Representative Gabby Gifford, have sought the unique treatment.

Jennifer Jarred Peyton is a board certified music therapist and has facilitated many of these outcomes over the past 10 years. Jennifer will be leading a free music therapy workshop presented by Artists for a Cause, a non-profit organization, on Sunday, October 28th from 4 pm to 6 pm at StarStruck Theatre in Stuart. Reservations are requested.

The event is free and open to the public and donations of $10 or more are gratefully accepted. Jennifer is enthusiastic to educate more people about the power of music therapy and encourages people, regardless of their musical ability to attend. There will be a reception following the presentation where participants can meet and mingle with Jennifer.

The music therapy workshop is being presented by the Price Wealth Management Group UBS. StarStruck Theatre has donated the use of their facility.

Guests will have the opportunity to learn about music therapy, participate in music therapy demonstrations, see video clips of MT sessions, and ask questions.  “The presentation will be very relaxed and participants may join in at any level, or not at all,” Jennifer said.

After being introduced to music therapy through a television clip at age 15, Jennifer realized that it was the perfect profession to encompass her love of music with her desire to help others. Her education includes a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from Louisiana State University and a Master of Music in Music Therapy (MM) from Florida State University.  She is also certified in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Music Therapy (NICU MT) and is a fellow with the National Institute of Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy.

Artists for a Cause is committed to helping artists change the world through community actions. Founder Terry Barber has organized two “Therapeutic Music Day” events on the Treasure Coast with a third one scheduled for November 10th. Musicians of all levels, including students, teachers, professionals, and certified music therapists, perform for hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations to very appreciative audiences.

Terry commented, “All art is therapeutic in some regard, but Jennifer is able to educate those involved in our program and the community about what is possible with actual music therapy provided by a certified professional.  Like all of our programs, Therapeutic Music Day has benefits for students in the arts, arts professionals, and the community.  This class is a real experience and an eye-opener to many who might be curious about the science behind this treatment, and successes that are unique to music therapy.”

Music therapy utilizes live music through singing, guitar, drums, keyboard, harp, and a number of other instruments. The type of music and the instrument is specifically chosen for each individual patient or client based upon their music preferences and experiences.

Jennifer’s clinical experience includes hospital, hospice, psychiatric, and rehabilitation settings. Because music is a universal language and music is stored in different parts of the brain from speech, patients/clients who have been non-communicative or even in a coma can respond to music when nothing else has elicited a response.  It is common for those who are unable to speak to be able to sing familiar songs with ease.

Music therapy is often provided with family members and can be an uplifting and healing experience for everyone present. It is often used to increase coping skills, personal expression, and facilitate life review. Jennifer often writes songs with patients and/or family members to help them cope with their circumstances.

Children with Autism benefit from music therapy as well. Jennifer recalls working with a young boy when she was an intern, who did not communicate at all for years. One day his mother mentioned that he had grown up with Beatles music and those songs proved to be the key to unlocking his ability to verbalize choices for himself. Imagine hearing that boy’s voice for the first time in a request for “Love Me Do” and knowing the door had only just opened.

To learn more about Artists for a Cause and the upcoming music therapy workshop or to RSVP, please call their office at 772-419-8778 or by e-mail at bonnie@a4ac.org.


ABOUT ARTISTS FOR A CAUSE
Artists for a Cause is a Stuart-based, nationally-known nonprofit organization that provides professional and educational opportunities for visual and performing artists wherever their art is being used for community improvement. Among the organizations receiving support from Artists for a Cause, Inc., are the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, Helping People Succeed, the Treasure Coast Food Bank, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, House of Hope, the Sailfish Point Foundation, Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged (ARC) Broward, the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach, and more, as well as hundreds of artists in every genre. To learn more about A4AC, please visit www.a4ac.org. There is free registration for artists, charities, and volunteers on the website.