CMF Playlist: Intro to Shana Halligan

Last week we announced that acclaimed Singer/Songwriter Shana Halligan is now the official spokesperson for Children's Music Fund! We thought that we should introduce you to some of her amazing songs from her career as a solo performer, in order to welcome her into the CMF family. Stream a playlist of songs off of her albums and EPs below, and prepare yourself for an awesome night out in support of music therapy!

Everyone will get their first will get their first glimpse at the partnership between CMF and Shana Halligan, when Shana headlines our next benefit concert at the Teragram Ballroom, Saturday June 25th, 2016. Tickets on sale soon. 

About Shana Halligan:

Most well known as the lead singer​/songwriter of pop group Bitter​:Sweet, Shana Halligan stepped out on her own a few years ago, and recently released her second solo album, “Back To Me” on Plug Research Records.  Halligan has sold more than 500,000 records and has accumulated over 70 album credits to her name. Other releases from Halligan include her solo debut EP “Paper Butterfly” and 2012 album “Richmond Parade.” Additionally, her music has been featured in numerous films, television programs and ad campaigns, including: Flesh & Bone, Sex and The City, The Devil Wears Prada, Bright Eyes, Focus, Cars 2, The Blacklist, Orange Is The New Black, Entourage, Nip/Tuck, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Korbel and Victoria’s Secret, just to name a few. Currently, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is using the Bitter:Sweet song “Dirty Laundry” which Halligan co-wrote and co-produced for its first international TV ad campaign in over a decade. She’s also collaborated with many major acts, including writing and recording with Serj Tankian of System Of A Down and Thievery Corporation (co-writing and performing their biggest hit in recent years “Depth Of My Soul”), and has performed at several celebrated venues across the globe, including the Hollywood Bowl, the Royal Albert Hall (London), the Bowery Ballroom (NYC) and the Hotel Cafe (L.A.). Outside of her own music, Halligan also writes for other artists and is developing a TV project that combines her love for music and passion for cooking.  

Singer/Songwriter Shana Halligan named Spokesperson for CMF

Shana Halligan

Los Angeles, CA (April 5, 2016)

The Children’s Music Fund (CMF) announces acclaimed singer/songwriter Shana Halligan as its official Spokesperson. The CMF, whose 14 years of service leads the mission to provide the healing power of music to child patients affected by chronic and life-altering illnesses, identified Halligan because she herself celebrates how music helps to reach wellness goals for children both in and out of the hospital. Ara Oghoorian, CFA, CFP®, Chairman of the Board for Children’s Music Fund states, “We are thrilled to have Shana Halligan as the spokesperson for the CMF. Not only is Shana an accomplished musical artist but an extraordinary human being. I look forward to a long fruitful relationship between Shana and the CMF.”

As the music spokesperson, Shana will help raise awareness about music therapy and the natural healing effects it provides for chronically ill children suffering with pain, anxiety and fear. "I’m so excited and honored to be named the spokesperson of the CMF and to be able to lend my support in its efforts to provide music therapy to those unable to afford it. From a young age, music has played an influential role in my life and now as a new mom I am thrilled to have the opportunity to make a difference in children's lives.”

Healing through music therapy has always been founder Dr. Raffi Tachdijan’s mission in helping his patients. Dr. Tachdjian, a musician, allergist and pediatric pain specialist, found CMF in 2002 while he was an intern at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Tachdjian found inspiration in one of his teenage patients, who had failed multiple experimental protocols for the treatment of his bone cancer. Knowing the patient was a virtuoso guitar player, Dr. Tachdjian was determined to find an instrument to help his patient focus on something other than his disease. Finding none in the hospital, Dr. Tachdjian set out to raise funds to bring instruments and later music therapy to help his patients sooth. About CMF’s spokesperson, he adds, “It's amazing that we have Shana Halligan as the spokesperson for CMF. But the most important thing is that she has a heart of gold, and wants to improve the lives of sick kids through music therapy!”

Everyone will get their first will get their first glimpse at the partnership between CMF and Shana Halligan, when Shana will headline a benefit concert at the Teragram Ballroom, June 25th, 2016. Tickets on sale soon. Located in the Westlake district of Downtown, The Teragram Ballroom is the West Coast counterpart to the iconic Bowery Ballroom located in New York. It is the premier new venue for intimate rock and alternative shows, just having opened its doors late last May. Join us June 25th for a night of stellar music at a leading LA venue, all for a great cause. About Shana Halligan:

Most well known as the lead singer​/songwriter of pop group Bitter​:Sweet, Shana Halligan stepped out on her own a few years ago, and recently released her second solo album, “Back To Me” on Plug Research Records. Halligan has sold more than 500,000 records and has accumulated over 70 album credits to her name. Other releases from Halligan include her solo debut EP “Paper Butterfly” and 2012 album “Richmond Parade.” Additionally, her music has been featured in numerous films, television programs and ad campaigns, including: Flesh & Bone, Sex and The City, The Devil Wears Prada, Bright Eyes, Focus, Cars 2, The Blacklist, Orange Is The New Black, Entourage, Nip/Tuck, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Korbel and Victoria’s Secret, just to name a few. Currently, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is using the Bitter:Sweet song “Dirty Laundry” which Halligan co-wrote and co-produced for its first international TV ad campaign in over a decade. She’s also collaborated with many major acts, including writing and recording with Serj Tankian of System Of A Down and Thievery Corporation (co-writing and performing their biggest hit in recent years “Depth Of My Soul”), and has performed at several celebrated venues across the globe, including the Hollywood Bowl, the Royal Albert Hall (London), the Bowery Ballroom (NYC) and the Hotel Cafe (L.A.). Outside of her own music, Halligan also writes for other artists and is developing a TV project that combines her love for music and passion for cooking.

Cancer Care Network Foundation Presents Grant Children's Music Fund

From left to right: Lesley Holmes, Executive Director at CMF
Karine Bagdasarian President and Co-Founder at CCNF, Hilda
Avanessianm, IrmaAcemian, Ari David, Host, and Dr Raffi
Tachdjian, President and Founder of CMF

Children's Music Fund receives Grant to help kids with Cancer

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 2nd, 2015)–On Thursday October 1, 2015, the Children’s Music Fund (http://thecmf.org/) (CMF) held its 7th annual Laughter is Medicine charity event at Improv in Los Angeles, California. The event featured a pre-show reception and included a line up with Sam Tripoli, Thai Rivera, Steve Byrne, and was hosted by Ari David.

The Laughter is Medicine event is one of the primary fundraisers for the CMF, which was established in 2002 by Dr. Raffi Tachdjian, an allergist and pediatric pain specialist. 

“Laughing, like music therapy, releases endorphins, which make us feel good, and relieves pain,” says Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH, President and Founder of CMF.  “

During the program, Cancer Care Network Foundation (CCNF) co founder Karine Bagdasarian presented Dr. Raffi Tachdjian,  with a grant for $5000 to provide music therapy to children suffering from various forms of cancer to ease their pain, anxiety and to offer distraction from something other than their illness. 

  

“Research shows that music therapy can have a big impact on children who are hospitalized or suffering from serious illnesses like cancer, Tachdijian added. “It helps them build the confidence and positive attitude they need to get them through their difficult struggle. If you were in the hospital and facing painful procedure, wouldn't it be nice to have a music therapist and your own musical instrument to help you overcome the fear, the pain and the anxiety?" 

About the Children’s Music Fund: 

The Children’s Music Fund (CMF) is a national charity with a mission to provide music therapy and musical instruments to children and young adults with chronic or life-altering illnesses, and to support research on the effects of music therapy.   

About Cancer Care Foundation: The Cancer Care Network Foundation's primary mission is to provide advocacy and resources to eliminate barriers to quality care for patients affected by cancer.  Funds raised will provide financial assistance, complementary support for patients and families currently fighting cancer, as well as support for projects and organizations that provide charitable services to our community in the field of cancer care, education and prevention.