August
2024
Hello –
As we step into the month of August, we are focusing on the power of music to uplift spirits, foster connections, and promote well-being. July was a month full of music, dancing, arts, laughter, connection, and a few tears. We put on two camps, held our annual Born to Dance dance concert, hosted nearly a dozen community events at our facility, and participated in several performances and outreach activities!
Our vision is to create a regional center for music and health, and July proved that we are well on our way to realizing that vision. If you’d like to see for yourself, feel free to stop by on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon when the building is full with people coming and going from classes and individual sessions. The energy and enthusiasm are palpable!
As we look ahead to our new fiscal year, we have exciting plans on the horizon - including new classes, workshops, and community partnerships. We are grateful for your continued support, and we want to hear from YOU with any ideas or suggestions for services we can add this year!
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
So Much FUN!
This year’s summer music camps were epic!
The first year of our kid’s music camp was so much fun we can’t wait to do it next year. Just by coincidence, we ended up with all boys and the energy was popping! At the end of the week they performed a song they wrote themselves, they each did a marimba solo, and had a fun dance party. With our inaugural kids camp under our belt, we are already planning fun things for summer 2025.
We loved having camps in our new beautiful building with access to all it has to offer, and especially our Jerry Smith Auditorium. The final performance was so much fun, we can’t stop talking about it!
In our efforts to expand in ways that both meet the needs of this community and provide sustainability to the organization, we would love to hear from YOU. Please reach out to Wendy (775.324.5521 or wendy@nmtsreno.org) to let us know:
Would you, or someone you care for, be interested in attending a camp next summer?
What about a fall, winter or spring camp?
And what do you think is a fair cost for a week-long day camp?
Thank you for your input!
Born To Dance
2024
If you missed the dance concert, check out our YouTube playlist and
see what our dance classes have been up to over the past year!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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10:00a - 11:00 pm at NMTS
Come join your fellow music lovers in an informal jam session! All levels are welcome. Feel free to bring your own instruments or borrow one of ours. We look forward to jamming with you!
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7:30 pm at The Pioneer Center - FREE
See NMTS dancers open this night's performance of the 3rd annual Dog Days of Summer Dance Festival. For more on this incredible event visit the Pioneer Center website.
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5:30-7:00 pm at NMTS - FREE
It's another Fun Friday event at NMTS. Join us for one of the best singalong movies ever! The story of a young lion that just can't wait to be king, and along the way meets some great friends who teach him the meaning of Hakuna Matata.
Feel free to bring something comfy to sit on. All ages welcome, 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. All pick ups must be by 7:00pm.
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5:30 pm at NMTS - FREE
All caregivers welcome at this music therapy group. And, you can bring your loved one. NMTS will provide fun music activities for them while you focus on YOU for an hour.
We hope to see you there!
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5:30 - 7:00 pm at NMTS
Put on your hat and boots! We have a live caller coming to teach line, circle, square and contra dancing!
Everyone is welcome to join; although, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free with a suggested donation of $5.
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5:30 - 6:45 at NMTS - Free
Put on your boogie shoes and get ready to dance the night away. September's Fun Friday edition will be another fabulous Dance Party!
FREE with a $5 suggested donation.
All ages welcome, 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. All pick ups must be by 6:45pm.
See the full Calendar of Events for NMTS by clicking below:
Staff Playlist
August 2024
Happy summer friends!
For most of us, there are a few songs that always remind us of a summer. This month’s playlist is a walk down memory lane for the NMTS staff. Enjoy!
Alice’s summer song pick -This song came out in the summer when my first boyfriend broke up with me. I was so heartbroken, but listening to this song and the whole album on repeat really helped me get through it. The light breaking through the storm in the video is like a metaphor that things do get better even when it doesn't seem like they will. Whenever I hear this song now, I think about that summer listening to this song in the sunlight of Montana.
First Light by Lindsey Stirling
Elizabeth’s summer song pick -I don’t know what it is about summer evenings, but they make me want to listen to live bluegrass/folk music while watching the sunset and moving my body however feels best. Barbara Dane’s voice makes me feel calm and empowered.
Nine Hundred Miles by Barbara Dane
Sarah’s summer song pick - Because summer should ideally be about freedom! Freedom to be outside exploring, playing, and just chillin' out.
Freedom by John Batiste
Eric’s summer song pick - I love summer and the way it always reminds me of the things that I can be grateful for like these long sunny days. Something about the sound of this song just feels like a beautiful summer day to me.
Joy by Andy Grammer
Nate’s summer song pick - When summer comes along, I always feel like there are so many plans, activities, and adventures to be had while at the same time longing for the slow and relaxing summer days. This track by Erykah Badu, resonates with the latter feeling. In a time where we can be instantly reached and expected to answer, sometimes you have to prioritize your present moment, let the phone ring and call them back.
I'll Call U Back by Erykah Badu
Dena’s summer song pick - This song makes me think of a spending a relaxing, easy summer day with someone I love..
Perfect Day by Lou Reed
Sharon’s summer song pick - This song is just happy to me and it has great sounds, instruments, harmonies and lyrics.
Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
Wendy’s summer song pick - This might be a little obvious, but I can’t hear this song without thinking of warm summer nights. I love dancing to this song any time any where! And the video is AWESOME!
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars.
Manal’s summer song pick - This is the perfect road trip song and I have listened to it many times cranked up in the car while on summer drives. And the music video is fantastic too :)
I Will Wait by Mumford and Sons
What a difference a year makes
Hello NMTS family and friends!
I cannot BELIEVE it has been over a year since I started my journey here in Reno. I remember in my interview thinking, “I HAVE to work here. I don’t care how far I need to move!” In addition to creating new ways to approach 1-1 and group music therapy sessions, NMTS has allowed me to bring my specialty and interests to the forefront by offering me opportunities to teach musical theater and movement classes. I have also had the privilege of accompanying The Note-Ables band on keyboard, which is a major highlight in my week.
NMTS has also supported my outside work endeavors that have contributed to my practice (e.g., singing in Bella Voce, being an accompanist, being the new Chorus Manager for the Phil Choir, etc.). Working at a company that supports both who you are in office and outside of office is a huge quality of life booster.
I am privileged to also announce that I have been given a recent promotion to being the new Lead Music Therapist at NMTS. I am honored to have this position, and I am so excited to see what the future holds. I cannot express enough of the gratitude I have for this team, and I am so excited to continue my work with this organization.
Thank you NMTS for embracing me and making me feel like I am home.
Best,
Sam White
July Thank Yous
Thank you to our July donors:
Kendra Bertschy, Wendy and John Firestone, Michael and Stephanie Hix, Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Reno, Kay Ellen Kephart, George Lerner, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Laurie Martin, Sophie Moeller, Carol Parkhurst, Millard Reed, Staci Schultz, The Nell J. Redfield Foundation, Manal Toppozada, Dave & Connie Wilson
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Barb Anderson, Susan Boner, Susan Boskoff, Dodie Bryant, Michelle Burke, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, MaryLee Fulkerson, CeCe Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Mary Jo Gieseke, Karen Golonka, Carrie Harding, Beverly Hennen, Sharon Hickox and Jennifer Tibben, Daniel Hickox-Young, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob and Mel Minarik, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Brad Lund and Trudy Miller, Deanna Lyons, Pam Macy, Lynda Mahorter ,Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Pauline Mooers, Sallie Moore, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Rikki Powers, Lisa A Rizzoli, Pam Miller Russell, Cindy Sabatini, Jake and Rachel Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Julie Sulahria, Sarah Toney, Ken and Doreen Vogel, Lori and Don Welsh, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young and Jodie Barker
Thank you volunteers:
Katie Amorelli, Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Dylan Burkett, Beverly Carpenter, Char Choate, Leif Christensen, Hayden Conlter, Cheryl Eckert, Monica Galvan, Mark Geeson, Jill Hemenway, Andy Hughes, Alex Knowlton, Michael Lahnala, Damiano Lee, Tony Martin, Laura Matushek, Greg McNie, Olga Mesina, Miguel Morales, Whitney Pomi, Pat Ragains, Kelly Rigby, Mike Rizzoli, Lisa Rizzoli, Patti Rodriguez, Veruka Saiki, Becca Shipley, Jake Steinman, Dave Stockman, Ken Vogel, Elizabeth Walenta, Indigo Walenta, Tembra Wright, Sonia Yescas, NNTH crew
