Wanna Play Music Week: Wednesday

by NAMM Staff | May 5th, 2008
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MUSIC AS THERAPY
Grab an instrument and get healthy! Kids, teens, parents, and seniors are turning to music making as not just an enjoyable pastime, but also for the health and wellness benefits. Music therapy is accepted worldwide as a viable treatment option that improves the quality of life for persons – whether to reduce stress, fight depression, or as part of rehabilitation from illness or injury. People in various professional fields and organizations are proving the health benefits of playing a musical instrument.

Spokespersons:

Alyssa Janney – HealthRHYTHMS

HealthRHYTHMS is a new division within Remo Inc. that develops and provides materials, programs, training and the latest research supporting the use of drumming as an effective means for promoting and maintaining health and well-being. It has been scientifically proven that a specific group drumming approach significantly increased the disease fighting activity of circulating white blood cells (Natural Killer cells) that seek out and destroy cancer cells and virally-infected cells. Basically, drumming does a body good!

    “HealthRHYTHMS facilitators have witnessed many touching stories. Bonnie Harr, a clinical nurse specialist, recounted in a beautiful article the story of a Mother's Day HealthRHYTHMS drumming group she facilitated, during which they celebrated the themes of motherhood with daughters their mother's and grandmothers. A participant shared with her, “You will never know what you have allowed to happen here today. My mother has Alzheimer’s disease, and I brought her here thinking it would mean nothing to her at all. But she looked at my daughter during one of those power-drumming moments and called her by her name for the first time ever!” At HealthRHYTHMS sessions I have seen the feeble dance, the depressed experience joy, the isolated find support. We have seen youth whose voices have been silenced by abuse, discover their inner beauty and realize the value of sharing their hearts with others. Through the use of rhythm and drumming I have seen deaf and blind children smile and autistic children experience connection to those around them.”

    – Alyssa Janney, HealthRHYTHMS

Christine Stevens – UpBeat Drum Circles

Christine Stevens is an internationally acclaimed author, music therapist, and speaker. Through her company, UpBeat Drum Circles, Christine offers programs that incorporate drumming into diversity training, corporate teambuilding, health & wellness presentations and personal growth seminars. As a member of an integrative research team, Christine has published studies on the scientific benefits of group drumming. Christine serves on the editorial board of Explore: The Journal of Science & Healing. With over 18 years of experience developing drumming programs for such groups as the students at Columbine High School, Ground Zero, and survivors of hurricane Katrina from St. Bernard Parish in New Orleans.

    “Everyone is born with a musical spirit…EVERYONE. As a music therapist, I have worked with severely disabled children whose music skills are equivalent to any normal child. Musical intelligence is inherent in all people. We are all born with two innate instruments; voice and percussion. It is scientifically proven that the body is biologically wired for rhythm. Our vocal chords are the string instruments of our human biology. It is time for all people to get back into musical expression.”

    “Music is the language of the soul. Studies are finding that recreational music making actually has key health benefits including stress-reduction, self-expression, mood enhancement, and community building. I need it! Drumming takes me from being in a funk; to being funky!”

    – Christine Stevens, UpBeat Drum Circles

Nadine Kaina – New Horizons band member

At age 72, Nadine Kaina doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. She presently works as a program coordinator for free senior services and actively volunteers for the arts when she can. She served in the U.S. Navy and, at age 52, received a BS in Public Relations at Nebraska University. Now, Nadine has turned to making music to keep her fit, mentally sharp and happy. A woman full of life and vigor, Nadine beats the bongos and drums like she was 17 with her New Horizons band. New Horizons provides a forum for ederly to play together and cope through the next life stage, many after dealing with depression from lossing a loved one. Active participation in music provides important benefits for adults - intellectual activity, creating bonds, being a contributing member of a group, and looking forward to events. Strong friendships (and several marriages) are formed in New Horizons programs.

    “Music has helped me in life experiences through tap dancing, community theatre & church choir. Seven years ago when my husband and mother died, music helped me get through the sorrow, made me happy plus I had a group of friends for support.”

    “You can do anything if you want to do something bad enough. At any age. I have seen seniors who have arthritis in fingers, especially a flute player who added pads to be more comfortable.”

    – Nadine Kaina