First Coast Cultural Center and Sound Connections® Music Therapy hosts 2022-2023 year-end programs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - May 24, 2023 - PRLog -- First Coast Cultural Center and its Sound Connections® Music Therapy program for children with disabilities serves public schools in St. Johns County, Fla. including First Coast Technical College, Ocean Palms Elementary, Osceola Elementary School, PVPV Elementary School, The Webster School, and Valley Ridge Academy.

According to Donna Guzzo, First Coast Cultural Center's President and CEO, the therapeutic music program was featured during recent year-end school performances with students, parents, teachers, and dignitaries including Kelly Barrera representing District 4 and Anthony E. Coleman, Sr. representing District 2 with the St. Johns County School Board. Dr. Carla Rodrigues, First Coast Cultural Center's Board of Directors Chair, and Judge Lauren Blocker, First Coast Cultural Center's Board of Directors Governance Chair also attended performances.

From May 17 until May 22, Sound Connections board certified music therapist Candice Sirak, MT-BC, led performances with more than 400 students in St. Johns County School District's Access and Florida Head Start classrooms including children with significant cognitive disabilities and the income-based program, respectively.

Since 2006, the program is offered at no charge to parents or schools and is fully funded by local donors and philanthropists for children in preschool to fifth grade including Title 1 schools for low-income families. Contributions and matching grants are provided by the Persbacker-Wyman Family Foundation, DuBow Family Foundation, The Lazzara Family Foundation, and others.

Musical selections for performance and participation include the Hello Song for initial socialization and for students to respond with an appropriate greeting. Pumpkin Vine inspires verbal skills with students to answer directed questions. Hey Mama Mia helps to develop fine motor skills while students can use sticks to follow along with the song. Rocketship Run includes gross motor skills with students dancing as requested. Down By The Bay features rhyming and students will choose the correct rhyming word. Bumble Bee Buzz has a goal of participation with dance or playing instruments when their names are called. And, finally, the Goodbye song inspires social interaction with student response with an appropriate farewell. Sirak will play additional songs as class time allows, and when goals are met for the session time permitting. Additionally, Sirak will determine goals that might need more support and incorporate appropriate interventions.

Guzzo holds a wide variety of fundraisers each year to support Sound Connections® Music Therapy and additional programs and services with the major events. For more information contact Candice Sirak, MT-BC, Manager, Sound Connections® Music Therapy at (904) 280-0614 ext.1206 or email Candice.sirak@stjohns.k12.fl.us. Visit the website at https://firstcoastculturalcenter.org/arts-outreach/outrea....