About Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge Music Therapy Center
The Blue Ridge Music Therapy Center serves to promote and empower individuals with special needs by providing quality music therapy and creative arts programming for people all ages in the Rochester, NY area. Blue Ridge offers a variety of services including music therapy sessions, school-based programming, adapted music lessons, home-based consultation, transitional programming, specialized classes, and group sessions. Our client-centered approach assists each person in overcoming obstacles, discovering their potential, increasing their independence, and building a social relationship with their community. By helping each person assess their strengths and skills as an individual, we can assist them in reaching their highest potential.
Individual Music Therapy
Individual music therapy are one-on-one sessions where the therapist will assess the client and provide ongoing music therapy interventions to address therapeutic functional goals. Through continued evaluation regarding response to interventions and progress, services will be implemented to focus on targeted areas including physical, communication, cognitive, social/emotional, adaptive, behavioral, and music skills. These services will be provided at the center as well as in-home and contract facilities.
Group Music Therapy
These sessions foster not only individual goals, but also social skills and group interaction. Through the therapeutic use of music, participants will engage in instrument play, singing, movement, improvisation, and creative drama/art in order to address their individual goals. Group music therapy may be customized to address the specific needs of a group or population, which may include:
- life skill acquisition
- socialization
- fine and gross motor skills
- physical strength and flexibility
- dementia/memory care support
- loss/bereavement
Adaptive Music Lessons
For some students traditional music lessons may not be possible. Adaptive music lessons assist individuals with special needs or unique styles of learning. Adaptive music lessons are similar to traditional music lessons, but are individually designed and altered to be success-oriented and motivating. Lessons are implemented in a way to maximize the student’s strength and abilities while encouraging them to target skill areas that challenge them. Lessons are offered for: piano, keyboard, organ, guitar, bass guitar, voice, ukulele, drum set, harp, steel drums, woodwind, percussion, string, and many more instruments! Adaptive lessons in songwriting, composition, and music technology are also offered.
Therapeutic Arts Program
Through the power of the creative art therapies, this unique program supports the continued development, skill training, community involvement, economic development, and enrichment of young adults with special needs (ages 21-30) within a safe, nurturing, and goal-oriented environment. Weekly daytime programming is provided on a group basis and includes music therapy, creative art, creative dance, social skills group, chorus, instrument group, vocational/academic skills training, and an exercise and wellness class. Community connections involve offsite performances, volunteer job placements within the local area, and collaborations with guest artists and other community-based programs.
Wellness though Music
For those who are well, music therapy and performance wellness classes can promote stress reduction, pain management, sleep management, self-expression, and general wellness. Music and wellness includes:
- Group drumming
- Therapeutic singing
- Vocal improvisation
- Music-facilitated relaxation
- Movement to music
- Music and fitness
- Songwriting
Neurologic Music Therapy
Neurologic Music Therapy approaches can address speech/language, sensorimotor, and cognitive dysfunction due to neurological diseases or injuries to the nervous system. This researched-based system of standardized clinical technique is used for sensorimotor training, speech and language training, and cognitive training. NMT focuses on rehabilitative goals, developmental goals, and adaptive goals. Interventions are applicable to many populations including, but not limited to:
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Cerebral Palsy
- Autism
Blue Ridge Theater
This performing arts group in a wonderful opportunity for individuals with special needs who like to sing, act, dance, or play instruments. Rehearsals include drama improvisations, group singing, drumming, and creative movement. Students will be working on community performances and the production of an original musical. Collaboration with local musicians and performers are explored.
JamBand
This rock ensemble provides young adults and adults the opportunity to perform together as a group to explore their vocal skills and instrument skills. Participants learn to build social connections and communicate effectively while developing their musical and performing skills. Performances, and work with local musicians and students, help participants to foster connections and build relationship with their community.
