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Wonderful insights! I enjoyed reading the insightful conversations you each engaged in.
ModeratorIt was a pleasure to meet each of you “virtually” and to learn all about you! Thank you so much for your thoughtful introductions and for connecting with each other in this first week. Meredith, Elizabeth, and I have found that when participants interact throughout the training they get a much deeper and more meaningful experience with this training. In my own time, taking this training, I can say that participant interaction had that effect.
ModeratorWow! What a small world! Thank you for sharing 🙂
MSU has a thriving music therapy program now! I originally went for my masters from 2005-2007 and did not end up finishing. I started back in 2018 (going very slow) and should be completing my MT masters in May of 2023.ModeratorHi Jee,
So nice to meet you. Always nice to meet another East Coaster! I was actually born and spent the first part of my childhood in Rockland County, NY and I have family in Queens 🙂
I took the training when I was in the first and second trimester with my, now, 8 yo. I was placed on bedrest due to a few conditions and so I got to sit with the training material a lot ( I really had nothing else but day time tv and the training to do…LOL). At any rate, I was let go from the job I was at and decided I would try starting a practice full time (I had previously done private practice work on the side over the years leading up to this time). Meredith and Elizabeth were wonderful support systems and I came on as a moderator which was a great support to starting my own program. I started out renting space at a music studio, then to a preschool, and finally I ended up with a space at a local Greek Orthodox Church. Over that time I was able to build up a small program. I ended up starting with a Family Sprouts Class (although this is not really recommended), and then went on to add Sprouting Melodies 1 and 2. It was challenging in the beginning as I was both a new mom and building my practice. I am thankful to some wonderful families that joined me early on and stayed with me over the years. I actually teach piano lessons to a kiddo that started in my Sprouting Melodies 1 class at 6 months old. He’s 7 now. When we have our training call around Week 8 Meredith and I answer questions and many times we talk about all the ways we each developed our programs.
ModeratorHello everyone. My name is Erika Svolos. I am the online moderator for this training. I live in New Jersey with my husband, my 8.5 yo daughter, and our cat Moose. It is a joy to be a part of this fantastic program and to join in your Sprouting Melodies journey. I am a graduate of Marywood University, currently, a graduate student at Montclair State University, and have been a music therapist in New Jersey for over 22 years. Over that time, I have worked in a variety of settings including in-patient child/adolescent psychiatry, a private clinic for autism, a large urban public school system, private practice, a private special education high school for individuals with emotional and behavioral disorders, and a private Orthodox Jewish special education school. In August 2013 I started my own business/private practice; Music Therapy Services of New Jersey, LLC. I completed the April 2013 Sprouting Melodies online training and it was a wonderful addition to my practice. I began offering Sprouting Melodies classes in February of 2014 and I’ve truly enjoyed working with my SM families. I have been moderating the Sprouting Melodies Online Training for the past 8 years.
I will be assisting with any questions and/or technical difficulties.
You will be receiving an email with information about the online forum technology and my contact information. If you do not receive the email, please contact me at erika.svolosmtbc@gmail.com.
I am looking forward to getting to know each of you over the next ten weeks!ModeratorIt is wonderful to hear all that you have gained from this training and how you plan to use as you move beyond the course.
March 7, 2022 at 8:40 pm
in reply to: What are the needs of the families and communities that you work with?
ModeratorGreat insights! As we think about the responses to overstimulation, we want to also consider the neurodivergent responses of dysregulation which may look different then our neurotypical kiddos. These include increased energy and activity level, easily falling over things, increased self-stimulation, difficulty controlling intensity in playing instruments and/or movement around the space, and difficulty taking in and following directions. These are just a few of the many other responses we may see. Each child will also have responses that are specific to them as all children are unique in the way their body responds to too much or too little stimulation.
As you consider stimulation in your work, I also encourage you all think about musical components, song choices,set up of the space, session structure, equipment, and direction to caregivers when we are looking to support stimulation levels.
ModeratorWonderful plans! Remember to save these as you complete the training and move on, these can be helpful in informing your work.
February 24, 2022 at 8:45 pm
in reply to: How have you used these four music experiences in your practice?
ModeratorRemember to save your responses so that you have them for future planning. Also, take a look at your co-participants responses for further ideas to support your work.
ModeratorThis question is a great way to help with how you market, present, and advocate for your services. Remember to save your response and to read others so that when you are talking about, advocating for, and/or presenting your services you have these to help you.
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