How are you planning on sharing this information with colleagues, administrators and families?

[Meredith Pizzi]

[Susan Gannon]

I have been talking with some fellow music therapists that I know in my area. I have the idea of starting a rather informal collection of music therapists in the Southeastern part of Michigan. This would encompass Detroit, Ann Arbor, and surrounding areas. I envision that we could meet perhaps once a month and share ideas on songs, music therapy experiences, how to get the word out, who knows of any organizations in our area that could support us, etc. I want to try to set up a table at some local festivals and art fairs, but I may have missed the deadline for this summer. But I know that I can at least check on that. I also have some clients who want to follow me to my new location. Even if they can’t, they may be a good source for referrals. I think I will brainstorm a list of administrators of any thing I can think of: Administrators of hospitals, children’s private schools, preschools, school boards, nursing homes, autism awareness programs, and anything else I can think of. Now I’m getting overwhelmed just thinking of this.

[Julia Park]

Great ideas Susan. Talk about Music Therapy Advocacy!

I am planning to do free try-out classes at local churches. I think this would invite a lot of parents and children. This would also allow me to practice my skills before I actually charge people. I want to incorporate a lot of new songs and learnings that I’ve gained from here so I am very excited. Having flyers at early childhood intervention programs and children’s hospitals would be also great idea as well as creating e-newsletter.

[Alexis Ramagnano]

I am planning on starting advocating for the music therapy profession at the daycare center my children attend. I have provided a free music group session there in the recent past and was told to drop off a flier once I get my business up and running. I feel that this opportunity is a great starting point because it would provide me a connection to the sister locations that are in the area. There is also a recreation center in my township that offers various fitness and wellness programs. I am hoping to make some connections there and see if I can offer some free sessions to establish an interest.

[Anonymous]

Wonderful braining storming and plans everyone! If you are planning to become Sprouting Melodies Providers, I highly encourage you to set up a phone call with Meredith. She is a wealth of knowledge with starting a program and ways to bring people in to the door. When I first began my program, Meredith was a wonderful beginning support and once I had the program going I would check in on the provider’s forum and occasionally emailing and calling with Meredith.

[Kate Potrykus]

I’m currently advocating music therapy in my community as a new business owner, so not only am I advertising my practice, but now I’ve been able to talk to families and other professionals about Sprouting Melodies and how I hope to become a provider soon. I have a colleague who I have been discussing the course with and who plans to become a provider as well. As I’m spreading the word of my practice, I’m spreading the word of Sprouting Melodies with everyone I talk with. I already know a few people who have been looking for classes like this for their children, so I have high hopes that my community will be excited to have a Sprouting Melodies provider in the neighborhood.

[Marcie Hernandez, MT-BC]

I’ve already begun to spread the word about Sprouting Melodies with colleagues and folks in my community. Our goal in taking this training was to provide a regular stream of revenue for the practice that we could rely on, especially during the times when there are long school breaks or client cancellations. In addition to that, we wanted to provide something unique and valuable to our community. In the past, I have provided fun, laid-back music groups through one of the local Parks & Rec. centers here. I’ve already met with the Recreation Specialist there to pitch the Sprouting Melodies class, and she loved the idea. I also plan on contacting the local media outlets, magazines, etc. to help spread the word about the class. Additionally, I’ve been mentioning the class to colleagues I work with through some of the schools I go to and our local Visiting Nurses Association. I’m excited to continue spreading the word about this great class & simultaneously advocating for music therapy!

[Charniqua Snell]

The private practice I work for is offering Sprouting Melodies this summer. So we have already been sharing this with the community through festivals, schools we see during the school year, and through parents who already know us. We also had an open house recently and got many parents to sign up for the classes!

[Daniel Henry]

I think I plan on sharing by advocating music therapy services to families I meet and one’s I already know. I’m reminded of what Meredith said in this week’s presentation about how you don’t get unless you ask. Since this is such a great resource for parents asking whether they would be interested in services doesn’t feel unwarranted, intrusive,or as if I’m selling a product, but rather offering a great asset to parents should they desire. I think I also visiting areas in the community that are frequented by families (such as coffee shops or grocery stores) could be a great place to post flyers about Sprouting Melodies.

[Kristina Rio]

I love how eager and ready all of you are! It is great to hear how you are already spreading the word and getting people excited for this program! I can’t wait to hear how things are going so be sure to hop on the Provider’s forum and let us know!

[Rebecca Woodruff]

I have found myself sharing information I have learned during this course with many of my family members. It has also got me thinking about how becoming more involved in the community will help me to grow my business when I start a private practice. I am also seriously considering becoming a Sprouting Melodies provider when that time comes (having a lot of the business side of things taken care and the support would be amazing). I am thinking about offering a trial class in my local library for families. I have also been thinking about being a performer at the children’s festival in my home town to help with my exposure in music for children.

[Nicole Drozd]

I have been sharing information with some of the families I work with (about child development) and the plan of providing groups in the future for children. I Already have 1-2 local community groups that are looking for resources for single mothers in the area and I plan on reaching out to my church community.

[Shelly Peterson]

I will be starting over in a new community and learning about the needs and making many new connections. I will start from the beginning with parents and others working in the field by starting conversations, making connections and offering presentations and classes for people to see firsthand. This course has increased my excitement and passion again for the work that I love.

[Elizabeth Carras]

Much of my clinical work is through a local school district, and I provide IEP-Based music therapy services. During the summer, when I have gaps in my schedule because school is not in session, I run more ‘music-ed’ type music groups: beginning ukulele lessons, a hand drumming class, providing music for summer camps, etc. I sometimes feel negatively about taking off my ‘music therapy’ hat for the summer and taking more of an ‘educator’ role.
This summer, I’m using these education-type experiences to spread the word about how music therapy groups in a community setting can be beneficial. I’m trying to look at them as a base to spread word-of-mouth about our programs that support early childhood development. Some of the parents of older children who are taking the summer courses have started saying, “This is great, I wish there were something for my younger kid like this, s/he is only two.” And I can respond that we are offering early childhood music classes for those younger children.

[Christina Bass]

I have already shared some of the information I have learned with several family members, one of my cousins who recently had a child is very interested and plans on looking into if there is a Sprouting Melodies program or other early childhood music classes in her area. I hope to start making connections in my area, I loved all the tips for ways to advocate! I had not considered some of the suggestions and will definitely be looking into getting more involved in my community.

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