teachers | Upstate Music Therapy Center LLC

Book: Over the Rainbow

by Amy Thomas | Jun 5, 2020

This blog post was written by Kayla Davitt, MT-BC

Sunshine on my face. Rainbows in the sky. Smiles on the faces of friends and family. This is what I picture summer to be like. However, in these tumultuous times, I often find myself forgetting to smile or to take a moment to appreciate the simple things in life. But, all that changed when I picked up Over the Rainbow by Judy Collins.

This book is full of beautiful illustrations (painted by Eric Puybaret) that are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face, young or old! Most of us have seen the classic movie “The Wizard of Oz” with Judy Garland. This book takes the famous song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and transforms it into a storybook that you won’t want to put down!

At UMTC, we strive to encompass a child’s whole being through music. Now more than ever, it is imperative to focus on the mental health of our children. Staying at home can be quite challenging, especially when children are used to going to school every day. Reading Over the Rainbow with your child will encourage them to participate in a learning activity using music.

While reading this book or listening to the song and following along, your child will be able to practice a variety of skills such as answering questions and taking time to self-reflect. Here are a few suggestions to follow when reading this book with your child:

Self-reflection

Even though we are in the midst of uncertain times, it may be helpful to encourage your child to engage in some self-reflection. What are some troubles or difficulties they are having while staying home? How does it make them feel? What would their “happy place” look like? Though these questions are geared more towards older students, younger students will still benefit from taking time to identify how they are feeling and what makes them happy.

Answering questions

This book is full of abstract pictures: a woman walking across a rainbow, bouncing from moon to stars, and flying with birds in the sky. Don’t be afraid to ask your child questions that will challenge their thinking. Are people able to fly like birds in the sky? How? Can a person walk on the moon? What would they need? Questions like these will encourage your child to think outside of the box while practicing their problem-solving skills.

Share your memories – Make it personal!

Do not be afraid to share your memories of hearing this song when you were a child. Explain to your child how this song makes you feel. Maybe express your thoughts and feelings about having to stay at home during this pandemic. Show your child how to self-reflect and identify their feelings.

Feel free to sing this song while reading the book or listen to this version performed by the famous Ella Fitzgerald:

We hope you enjoy using this book in your homeschooling adventures! For more resources and activities to use with your children, please visit our “Resources” tab located at the top of the page.

If you are interested in purchasing Over the Rainbow, click here to find it on Amazon.

Happy reading!

A Whole New World: Music Teletherapy

by Amy Thomas | May 29, 2020

Prior to COVID-19, the word “teletherapy” meant very little to our team of music therapists. To even consider not driving to school, homes, or daycares was not a thought in our minds. How could it be? Yet, in a matter of days teletherapy became a new reality. All the hours spent fine-tuning our craft for in-person services had to be adjusted overnight. Looking back now, it is amazing how much our team has learned in a few short months.

A New Approach

After school closures, it quickly became apparent that the social-emotional benefits of music were taking center stage. This is a confusing time we are all in. For many families, the presence of music therapy in their homes is a welcome break to the stress they are under. At UTMC, we truly want to embrace this facet of music and ensure we are continually bringing not only music but joy into homes. Below is a photo of Sarah Ramey, an employee at UMTC accomplishing this mission during a teletherapy session!

Supporting the Whole Family

As our team adjusted to doing therapy through a computer screen, it became apparent that we were able to help families in a unique way. By bringing music into the home, we can provide our students with a dose of familiarity in a confusing situation.

It is no secret that music has a way of lifting spirits. Our staff noticed siblings, grandparents, and parents joining sessions with a smile on their faces. Many stated they were looking forward to music all day. This is the kind of positive energy we want to bring to our families.

New Intervention Strategies

Parents and teachers aren’t the only ones learning about new technologies! Our music therapy team has been knee-deep in picking up new online learning strategies. If you are interested in pursuing online services, you will experience some of these new strategies for yourself.

1) Zoom

For the most part, our therapists use Zoom as a video chatting platform with students. Zoom comes with some great interactive features such as screen and audio sharing. While using these, the therapist is able to provide visuals and quality audio with the student on the other end.

2) PowerPoint

Many of our therapists use PowerPoint slide shows to present students with books or choice boards. It’s difficult to use visuals in hand because they may be blurry or off-angle. Using a PowerPoint via screen sharing solves that problem and provides clear visuals.

3) Share controls

Zoom also allows for the students to have control over the screen. With this feature, the therapist is able to ask questions, have students type answers on their own, or drag and drop images to complete visual activities.

4) Props

Now more than ever it is important for therapists to grab our student’s attention. It can be so difficult to stay seated for 30-minutes, especially in front of a computer screen! Our therapists do their best to engage students with props such as hats, stuffed animals, scarves, or other colorful visuals.

New Services at Upstate Music Therapy Center

Upstate Music Therapy Center believes that music services should be accessible despite school closures. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have adjusted by offering a variety of online music activities such as Music Enrichment, online Music Therapy, and FREE Online Music for Preschoolers (available on our Facebook page through the end of June). Additionally, online Counseling services are available. If you would like to learn more about these new online services, click here.

It is a shocking, confusing, and strange time we are all in. At UMTC, we hope that our services for students and the community can bring a ray of light into the homes and lives of families we work with. Don’t forget to find humor where you can in this whole new world we live in!

This blog was submitted by Katie Hall.

Book: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

by Amy Thomas | May 22, 2020

Blog submitted by Kayla Davitt, MT-BC

Idea submitted by Erin Valvo, MT-BC

Baseball is a favorite American pastime. I love walking into a baseball stadium and being inundated with the smell of popcorn, the sound of fans, and the green grass. During this time of quarantine, we are forced to miss out on traveling to a stadium for a baseball game. But, with the storybook Take Me Out to the Ballgame by Jack Norworth and Alec Gillman, you can experience the beauty of a baseball game without having to leave the comfort of your home!

Younger children will be entranced by the beautiful illustrations, older children will be excited to learn about a favorite American sport, and you will love singing this simple and catchy classic! This quintessential storybook can target many skills such as reading comprehension and sequencing. If you have older children at home, here are some suggestions to keep in mind while using this classic song and storybook with them:

Discuss the history of baseball

A lot of older children enjoy learning about traditions and history, especially when sports are involved! This book is a great way to incorporate history, reading comprehension, and music in one loveable song!

Encourage your child to use his or her imagination

Because this is such an unpredictable time, your child may enjoy taking a virtual field trip to a baseball stadium! The illustrations in this storybook specifically are so beautifully drawn that your child will feel as if they’re attending an actual game! Don’t be afraid to ask your child questions: perhaps who they would attend a game with or what teams they would like to see play against each other!

Put your child’s problem-solving skills to work

What would happen if the game was rained out? What if the pitcher gets injured during play? What happens if the game is tied at the end? Though these aren’t parts of the actual story, you can encourage your child to think outside of the box and put their problem-solving skills (as well as their imagination) to work.

Share your memories

Your child may enjoy singing the song and following along in the story, but don’t be afraid to make it personal! Share some memories you may have of playing baseball when you were young, attending games, singing the song, or maybe even eating “peanuts and Cracker Jack.”

Kayla Davitt, an employee at UMTC, has recorded the song for you to use while reading this book with your child. Singing and reading with your child is an effective way to keep their attention and also assists with a child’s ability to comprehend information.

We hope you enjoy using this book in your homeschooling adventures! For more resources and activities to use with your children, please visit our “Resources” tab located at the top of the page.

If you are interested in purchasing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, click here to find it on Amazon.

Happy reading!

Lean On Us

by Amy Thomas | May 8, 2020

In times of sorrow, how do you carry on? Do you call a loved one? Do you turn to nature? Or, is it a song that gets you through? At UMTC, we know that music can lift the spirits in a special way. In an effort to do just that, our very own Jamie Swieringa combined technology and music to bring smiles to a community of faces.

Jamie Swieringa is an employee at Upstate Music Therapy Center. Her caseload primarily resides at Midlakes Education Center (MEC) in Clifton Springs. Upon school closing in March, Jamie was inspired to utilize her craft to bring hope to her school community.

Jamie re-wrote the words to the Bill Withers classic “Lean on Me”. She changed the words to “Lean on Us” in hopes that the students and staff would be reminded of all the support present at MEC. It was her goal to foster community and let families know that MEC is there for them. The teachers and staff know how overwhelming this time is and they want to ensure families know they are supported.

Here is Jamie’s encouraging re-write:

Sometimes in our lives, we go through things, they may cause sorrow

Like not going to school, or seeing your friends

What will happen tomorrow?

Lean on us

When you’re not strong

And we’ll be your friend

We’ll help you carry on

For, it won’t be long

Until we’re going to see

Your face at school again

Please, reach out to us, if there are ideas you need to borrow

For, we all will try to meet your needs oh how we’ll help you so

You just call on me friend when you need a hand

We all need somebody to lean on

You just might have a problem that we’ll understand

We all need somebody to lean on

To implement her project, Jamie sang and played the song on Zoom. At first, she wanted everyone to sing together, but there were too many people! Instead of singing, she thought to have visuals from each participant. All the staff wrote out a message on paper to hold up such as “Stay strong”, “MEC rocks”, “Sanitize”, “We miss you”, “We love you” and “It will be okay”. The result was beautiful.

Jamie shared that this project was an emotional experience not only for the students but for the staff involved. The shared effort to bring hope to students through music was special for everyone.

Over the next couple of weeks, Jamie shared the video with her students through Zoom sessions and Class Dojo. The message eventually reached a wider audience and was featured on WHAM news Bright Spot on April 21.

Click here to check out the news story!

Music therapists understand that therapy isn’t just working on goals and objectives. We know that music is a unifying force. It brings people together, fosters community, and in times of sorrow, brings hope. Throughout this pandemic, UMTC is grateful to be part of our local school communities. It is our goal that with each music therapy session we can bring a little more joy into our student’s homes.

This blog was submitted by Katie Hall

Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs

by Amy Thomas | May 3, 2020

A dog. A guitar. Ice cream. Dinosaurs. All in one story! We are excited to share with you a wonderful and entertaining storybook geared towards young children. Written by Eric Litwin (author of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes), the storybook Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs focuses on the concept of sharing in a fun and unique way!

When we meet our main character, Groovy Joe, he is living the life – with a guitar, a spoon, and some ice cream. He is interrupted by unexpected visitors who want their share of his ice cream. Groovy Joe’s answer? “It’s awesome to share!” Throughout the story, events occur that will encourage your child to anticipate what comes next and think outside of the box.

As a music therapy agency, we are always looking for ways to assist children in practicing a variety of skills, from color and number identification to appropriate ways to communicate in social settings. Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs focuses on social interactions, problem-solving, and the importance of sharing. If you find yourself in need of some fun and engaging activities to do with your young children, we have a few tips for how you can use this storybook to your advantage. While reading Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs, keep in mind these suggestions:

1. Use your body!

Children are often more engaged and are more likely to pay attention if you make reading fun for them. This book affords you many opportunities to exaggerate your facial expressions and body movements to add to the story. Don’t be afraid to roar like a dinosaur, stomp or smash with your feet, and dance around with your child!

2. Use silence to enhance the story.

There are many instances where you can lead your child to an answer or help them anticipate what is going to happen next. Don’t be afraid to use silence!

3. Pair a fun and engaging song with the story.

Singing and reading with your child is an effective way to keep their attention and to bring a smile to their face while you read. Kayla Davitt, an employee at UMTC, has created an original melody to use within the story:

We hope you enjoy this book! For more resources and activities to use with your child, please explore our “Resources” tab on the top menu.

If you are interested in purchasing Groovy Joe Ice Cream and Dinosaurs to use in your homeschooling adventures, follow this link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Groovy-Joe-Ice-Cream-Dinosaurs/dp/0545883784

This blog was submitted by: Kayla Davitt

Nature’s Instruments: Making Music Outside

May 2, 2022

Spring is finally here! The daffodils are blooming, the Easter bunny made his visits, and families are itching to get out of the house. In the spring, the outside world is full of sounds. Last week, we shared the blog Pause and Hear the Sounds of Spring to practice...

Current Events: Thrive to Survive Workshop

Mar 22, 2022

Written by Katie Pistilli, MT-BC This month, Upstate Music Therapy Center employees Erin Triola, LCAT, MT-BC and Katie Pistilli, MT-BC met a wonderful group of people through the Thrive to Survive support group. Katie and Erin conducted a workshop for Thrive to...

Book: My Voice is a Trumpet

Feb 22, 2022

Blog post written and submitted by Kayla Davitt, MT-BC “Voices are powerful, and together they’re strong, like the musical notes of a beautiful song.” Think about it. Each person has a voice. When voices come together, it can sometimes be chaos. But, it can...

Bringing Music into Homes ♪ A Collaboration

by Amy Thomas | Mar 28, 2020

In response to school closings and cancellations, Upstate Music Therapy Center has been modifying and adapting our services to meet our community’s needs. First and foremost, we are expanding our services to increase access to online musical experiences and therapy.

UMTC is excited to work with other agencies in the Rochester community to continue providing quality music therapy services. In the past year, we were grateful to establish a relationship with Autism Up, a local non profit agency. Since 2004, Autism Up has been working towards their mission to “support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their families, by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life.”

The members of Autism Up believe that “Every climb begins with a step.” As a therapeutic community, we are all taking these first virtual steps together.

Upstate Music Therapy Center is looking forward to our first collaboration event in response to COVID-19. On Monday March 30^that 1:00pm, we will be hosting a free Facebook Live event through Autism Up. Our very own Victoria Moore, MT-BC will be leading the musical experience. The focus of this Live group is to provide support for families at home as they navigate the uncharted waters of homeschooling. Victoria’s musical interaction with the Autism Up community will be designed to meet a range of ages and abilities, with a focus on music and movement.

Facebook Live is a unique platform. Unlike many live events, participants are able to send messages to the speaker to address in real-time. It is our hope that through this collaboration we can expand our ability to provide new and accessible music experiences for individuals to access from home. We encourage you to check out the Autism Up Facebook and gather your kids to watch the live event this coming Monday.

If you are interested in pursuing additional online musical opportunities with Upstate Music Therapy Center, please check out our updated services and resources.