Inroads Music Therapy Summer 2021
Inroads to Opportunities music therapy program kicked off in late April 2021 and has been adding a fresh energy to our Wellness and Transition programs.
Check out our Day Habilitation participants singing and shaking along to “Hey Jude,” by the Beatles:
“The energy of our group is infectious and puts our participants and staff in a better mood,” says Director of Marketing Bryan Hansen.
Over the past 3 months, music therapy meets 2-3 times per month under the direction of New Jersey Singer Songwriter, Tommy Strazza. Each session focuses on music from a specific genre or artists. “Some weeks we do a group of songs from Motown Era, Woman of Rock, 60’s & 70’s and our course the music of The Beatles,” says Tommy Strazza. “Our participants are always looking forward to music therapy and we love the enthusiasm and joy it brings.”
Some of the songs our group have learned over the past few weeks include:
“Hey Jude” -The Beatles | “Can’t Help Falling in Love”-Elvis | “Free Falling” -Tom Petty | “I Love Rock and Roll” -Joan Jett | “Superstition” Stevie Wonder | “We Got The Beat” -Go Go’s | “Unchained Melody” -The Righteous Brothers | “What’s Going On” -Marvin Gaye
When the weather cooperates, we hold our group outdoors in our picnic area on Fridays during lunch hour. This gives the participants and staff from other training programs the opportunity to join in and enjoy the music that the group is focusing on.
Inroads to Transition summer program has been very active in singing along with the group. We also have a number of participants who join us on zoom during the sessions.
Each week, Tommy Strazza and Inroads Director of Marketing Bryan Hansen choose a handful of songs to sing along with the group. Each participants gets the lyrics and chords printed out to sing, shake or strum along.
In 2020, Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation gifted Inroads a grant for $15,000 for our Music Therapy Program. Their mission is to provide financial support to non-profit organizations to strengthen existing and/or seed innovative initiatives that address healthcare and related needs in Elizabeth, New Jersey and surrounding communities.
We look forward to bringing you more updates and music from this talented group!
