Over the previous few years, as I’ve expanded the age teams I’ve labored with and the number of settings I’ve labored in, I’ve discovered an increasing number of methods to include different inventive arts into my music remedy classes.
I started my profession working at United Neighborhood Choices (UCO) Miami, the place I collaborated with speech, occupational, and bodily therapists.
This supplied me with a incredible basis and helped me clearly see how I might use a musical expertise to work on a non-musical objective – like rising expressive language or enhancing superb motor abilities.
However, I by no means had the chance to collaborate with different inventive arts therapies till I started my personal follow.
At present I’m beginning a 3 half collection on the Artistic Arts.
In Half 1, I’ll begin by sharing how I incorporate inventive arts experiences, like dance and artwork, into my music remedy classes.
I acquired the thought to share these inventive arts concepts whereas pretending to surf with a bunch of younger adults with disabilities as we listened to “Surfin’ Safari” by the Seashore Boys (not a nasty solution to spend a morning!)
In Half 2 and three, I’ll share how I’ve been collaborating and co-treating with artists of all disciplines in a brand new program for highschool college students with autism referred to as Therapeutic Arts.
Let’s get began! Listed here are another methods I incorporate dance and motion into my music remedy classes:
Within the publish, Summer season Session Concepts for Center Schoolers & Teenagers, I share two concepts for including motion right into a Hawaiian/Seashore-themed session. The primary is physique percussion to the track “Summer season Vibes” by Stroll Off The Earth (this track is assured to place you within the temper to go the seaside!) and the second is hula dancing to conventional Hawaiian music.
Fourth of July – In our classes primarily based on this vacation theme, we march to all types of patriotic songs. All the things out of your conventional instrumental variations of the songs to a metallic model of “Yankee Doodle” that I discovered on YouTube (test it out for your self!)
Within the publish, Thanksgiving Music Remedy Concepts for Center & Excessive Schoolers, I write about how we dance to “Cotton Eyed Joe” (you realize, the one from the 90s) and “Hoedown Throwdown” by Miley Cyrus to include some nation line dancing into our bluegrass/harvest-themed session.
Artistic Interpretations – For this musical expertise, I pull up a wide range of orchestral items and invite shoppers to easily transfer the best way the music sounds, or transfer the best way the music makes their physique wish to transfer. All interpretations welcome. I decide a wide range of items that sound completely different, like “Waltz of the Flowers,” “Flight of the Bumblebee,” “Nutcracker March,” “Can Can,” “William Inform Overture” and “Swan” from Carnival of the Animals.
Listed here are some methods I’ve included arts experiences into my music remedy classes:
Within the publish, Combining Music & Artwork: A Hawaiian Theme for Elementary College students, I write about how I play conventional Hawaiian music whereas exhibiting rotating photos of Hawaii on a giant display. College students are invited to attract an image of Hawaii, or what they suppose is being depicted within the music.
Planet/Outer House Artwork – In a session primarily based on this theme, college students take heed to “The Planets Suite” by Gustav Holst and are invited to attract planet/outer area paintings. We use darkish blue or black paper and chalk to create the sensation of being deep in outer area.
Within the publish, Amp Up Your Teen Classes: Greatest Day of My Life, I write a few musical expertise the place I sing “Greatest Day of My Life” by the American Authors with my teen shoppers after which invite them to attract an image of one of the best day of their life. In the event that they really feel comfy, they’ll share their paintings and about their day with the remainder of the group.
What I Am – That is certainly one of my favorites as a result of it’s nice for empowerment and vanity. Shoppers sing the track “What I Am” by Will.I.Am together with me. They’re then invited to think about at the very least one constructive high quality about themselves and create paintings across the phrase. They’ll write the phrase on their paper and adorn round it with coloured pencils or pastels, they’ll minimize out letters and photos from {a magazine}, or they’ll use different inventive mediums to create paintings across the constructive phrase that describes them.
Every of those musical experiences offers the chance for college kids to be launched to all kinds of music whereas additionally having the possibility to specific themselves artistically.
There are such a lot of extra concepts I wish to share right here, however I don’t wish to overwhelm you!
If you happen to haven’t accomplished so already, I’d encourage you to see how one can incorporate dance or arts experiences into your music remedy classes, whatever the age or inhabitants with whom you’re employed.
Subsequent time on the weblog, I’ll be sharing concerning the Therapeutic Arts Program I facilitated for a highschool autistic assist classroom right here in Pennsylvania.
I had the chance to collaborate with painters, fiber artists, yoga instructors, theatre instructors, and artistic writers.
This was an incredible program that STRETCHED me creatively! I’ll be sharing lots of our profitable arts experiences right here on the weblog, so remember to keep tuned for it.
Let’s be electronic mail associates! You may get weblog updates despatched on to your inbox.