47 Prospect Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432 (201) 445-8780 info@fromthetopmusicstudio.com

MUSIC THERAPY at From The Top Music Studio
Recognizing that all students learn differently, we now offer music instruction for both children who are classified and adults who need special instruction.
Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a theraputic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease and other aging-related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain, including mothers in labor.
Process oriented music therapy sessions focus on music the verb as an avenue for meaningful interaction, emotional and self expression, and diferent levels of communication and human contact. Sessions can also be directed towards the completion of a certain musical product, and thetheraputic process culiminates in a performance, or recording, or the creation of a song. Music therapists are trained to help clients participate in successful musical experiences, like singing familiar songs together, moving to music, playing simple instruments to experience rhythm, creating music, making a CD recoding or learning to play an instrument. While doing these things, the therapists is always fostering positive changes, relaxation, self expression, increased coping skills and other theraputic goals that are decided upon when the process starts.

MUSIC THERAPY FOR CHILDREN
The music therapist can use the theraputic relationship and the motivation of musical expression to address non-musical goals involving attention, communication, social skills, general cognitive functioning, and fine and gross motor skills or anxiety and assist in emotional expression within a safe container/ Activites include improvisation, performance, singing, songwriting and recording.

MUSIC THERAPY FOR TEENS AND ADULTS
The music therapist uses the theraputic relationship and familiar songs/musical creations to assist in emotional expression within a safe container, reduce stress and anxiety, for relaxation and movement, for increased self-esteem and self expression in a social environment. Music can be presented as a healthy coping skill that the therapist can help the client learn. Music is the soundtrack of our lives. Playing or even talking about experiences in life elicited or accopanied by music can assist with insights about ourselves. Activities include improvisation, songwriting, song lyric analysis and discussion, sing along, recording sessions, movement to music, music assisted relaxation and meditation, sound healings, vocal toning, and drum circles.

MUSIC THERAPY SOCIAL EVENTS AND THERAPUTIC MUSIC LESSONS
Drum circles are a fun way to meet people and express yourself musically while decreasing stress levels and express frustration/anxiety in a positive, non-destructive way. No musical or drumming expereince necessary. Find your inner rhythms!

MUSIC THERAPISTS
Music therapists are board certified by the Certification Board of Music Therapists after completing a bachelor's degree in music therapy studies from an accredited university, a 1,040 hour internship, and successfully passing a certification exam.

Michael DiGirolamo, MT-BC is a board certified music therapist that has provided music therapy services for children with special needs (Nelson Pediatric Therapy), pediatric rehabilitation (The Wanaque Center), pediatric oncology (Banner Desert Medical Center), hospice care (Hospice, Inc., Visiting Nurses of Central Jersey Hospice), adult psychiatric care (Essex County Hospital Center), and wellness care (For the Love of Life). Vesides providing music therapy services, Michael continues to perform and teach in the NY/NJ area and creates relaxation CDs of classical guitar and original improvisations of instrumental music.

Pegeen Jones, is NJ State certified in Music Ed K – 12, Special Education & Elementary Education. She holds Masters Degrees in teaching and special education. Having taught in both public & private schools, Mrs. Jones has worked with students who have apraxia, autism, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and other disabilities. Using music, she is able to address all aspects of an individuals learning including language, development, gross & fine motor development, sequencing difficulties and social skills. Mrs. Jones is also trained in ASA and sensory integration to accommodate students with those needs.