Catching up on the week! – Music Therapy Services of Austin, LLC

Lots of wonderful things happening around here this week! So, while I’ll try to not go on…and on….and on….

Here’s what went down!

Tuesday:

The lovely Erin of well in l.a. asked me to be a part of the Dream Big Series on her website. I was completely honored and humbled by her request. To see my answers to her questions (my goals, ambitions, schedule, favorite quote, wellness regimen, and my secret celebrity crush), click HERE!

Wednesday:

I received a late-night tweet from a company called Terra Rising, saying that they were in Austin and would love to talk about music therapy with me. We all know that it’s hard to get a complete message in 140 characters or less, so I had no idea who they were or what they were about, but I was truly intrigued. After some emailing, tweeting, and texting, I found out about their great message and mission, and we picked a time to meet and videotape an interview on my thoughts and experiences with music therapy for their documentary.

They are two stellar guys who are truly passionate about their mission (and they had done their research on music therapy!). So what are they doing, exactly? To find out all of the aspects of their mission, check out their website and blog HERE (and in their day 2 blog, the Bolton Music Therapy Group get a shout-out!). In short, they are making the trek across the country, talking with musicians and music therapists in order to bring about awareness of the healing aspects of music – a topic right up my alley! Be sure to check out the schedule on their site to see if they are coming to a city near you! If they are, get in touch with them via Facebook, Twitter (@RisingTerra), or their website!

Terra Rising’s Mission (from their Facebook page):

The mission of Terra Rising Records is to serve as a grassroots networking platform that connects community organizations and businesses with local musicians using the most cutting edge social media and technology available. Through music, Terra Rising Records will help support and strengthen individuals, families, and their communities by creating innovative events and enthusiastic educational environments that will put the “local,” back into “local music.”

Thursday:

This Thursday I found out about the film, “Everything Went Down”. On their website, they state,

Everything Went Down writer/director Dustin Morrow is an active advocate of art and music therapy programs. He is a board member of the innovative Arts and the Quality of Life Research Center, which promotes research, training, and innovative programs that demonstrate the unique role of the arts in making a difference in people’s lives. The Center has secured multiple grants from such groups as The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Morrow also produced Arts at your Side, a documentary for that Center that profiles a number of music therapy projects, including a songwriting program for at-risk inner-city youth and a music composition program for children with spinal cord injuries.”

To find out more, visit their webpage, as well as their kickstarter page and support their cause! If you’re on twitter, their handle is: @EWDFilm.

This morning:

I had the amazing opportunity to be a guest on the radio with Janice Lindstrom! Listen to the episode of “The Music Therapy Show” here:

Listen to internet radio with Janice Lindstrom on Blog Talk Radio

Tomorrow morning:

I had a University of Texas graduate journalism student contact me about doing an in-depth story on music therapy! Because I never want to turn down an opportunity to talk about my passion in life, I answered her questions and setup up a time for her to observe one of my sessions tomorrow (after getting permission from the parent, of course!) :). I’ll let you all know when the article comes out!

Sunday, April 1st:

THIS SUNDAY marks the release of the new e-songbook, “Listen, Sing, Speak”! Myself and SLP Ana Paula Mumy worked hard to create an 80 page .pdf songbook that focused just on speech and language goals (Click here to download TWO FREE .PDFs)! AND, with this book, you get FREE access to all of the .mp3s in the members-only section. WOOHOO!!!