Today’s Patient, Tomorrow’s Music Therapist- A CMF Testimonial

Artwork by Sienna Holmes

Contributor: Cierra Gordon; Content by Josh Pineda

We here at CMF are motivated to show support and tell the benefits of music therapy, and what better way than to share stories of music therapy in action! The following testimonial is one special example of music therapy at work, using musical treatments to reach wellness, personal, and social goals. Meet Cierra, 21 year old who has been a patient at the UCLA Chronic Pain Program since the age of 9. In her patient perspective, she tells us how her treatment inspired her to pursue a music therapy career. As a former patient who benefited from music therapy as part of her treatment plan, she is now motivated to continue the mission of “healing through music!”

We asked Cierra to tell us how music therapy has benefited her, and what she hopes to accomplish as she works her way to become a music therapist:

“Music has been an escape when I have been sad or in pain.  When I feel that way, I can sing,  play my flute, guitar or piano. The enjoyment of the music makes the pain temporarily go away.  Becoming lost  in the music takes my mind off of anything else. I would love to be able to share this passion with others. As a music therapist, my focus group will be children with special needs and/or older people with Alzheimer's. Through my research, I have learned music brings a variety of responses from people in both of these populations. Writing music has also helped me relax which consequently reduces pain and stress.  I want to share my passion for music with others while helping them overcome physical, emotional and mental issues.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! Cierra experienced all the benefits of music therapy firsthand, including how musical treatments serve as tools for stress-management, self-soothing, and communication. Having seen how valuable the effects were to her own treatment, she’s now dedicated to help others through the same means. In addition, at the age of 19, Cierra auditioned and was accepted to be a part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera under the direction of Linda Jackson. After completing her first opera with Ms. Jackson, Cierra passion for music has become even stronger. CMF believes Cierra is well on her way to become a fantastic future music therapist.

Music therapy is a valuable practice in helping to build healthy individuals and communities, all through the power of musical performance and expression. Just like Cierra, join us on the mission to show support and tell the benefits of music therapy! Help us to connect patients with our incredible team of music therapists by donating or volunteering today. Visit www.theCMF.org for more information.

10 Incredible Things that YOU Made Happen: Number 9

Giving the "Gift of Music" 

As Children's Music Fund continues with its annual campaign, we want to reflect on the past year and say "Thank You!" Without your continued support of CMF, we wouldn't be able to serve chronically ill children in and out of the hospital. We will be sharing "10 incredible things..." with a new story each week throughout the campaign, please comment and share!

Number 9: Instrument Donation

This year you were able to bring the healing power of music to children by gifting musical instruments to children with life altering illnesses and chronic conditions. 

Below are some of the instruments that you have gifted to children in need: 

A keyboard went to a 6 year old boy with SMARD (Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress)  and Charcot-Marie Tooth disease (a peripheral nervous system disorder affecting both his hands and his feet) in Los Angeles. He is using his keyboard to help regulate his breathing, and work on fine motor function in his hands. 

A violin went to a brain cancer survivor in Bakersfield. This 9 year old girl is using the violin to help connect the neurons in her brain to aide her recovery. She is excelling in school and making tremendous progress with music. Her mom writes,

"We are very thankful for Children's Music Fund, we are experiencing a wonderful journey. Esmerelda is greatly motivated and music is now a great part of her development. She is a straight A student and receiving school awards! Children's Music Fund, you guys are amazing!" 

Together we are doing great things!

Click HERE to participate in this year's Annual Fund!

10 Incredible Things that You Made Happen!

Children's Hospital Orange County

As the Children's Music Fund kicks off its annual campaign, we want to reflect on the past year and say "Thank You!" Without your continued support of CMF, we wouldn't be able to serve chronically ill children in and out of the hospital. We will be sharing "10 incredible things..." with a new story each week throughout the campaign, please comment and share!

Number 10:

One area that we have been able to make tremendous progress is in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital Orange County (CHOC)

Here's what CHOC, has to say about CMF!

I would love to share why we are so grateful for the Children's Music Fund.
The impact of music therapy on our NICU has been immeasurable!  Thanks to this incredible gift we are able to create both stimulating and relaxing moments, both of which help our tiny babies heal.  This new intervention also educates our medical staff on the value and impacts of therapeutic supports for premature patients.  The staff also benefit from not only knowing their patients are being cared for in such a special manner, but also by feeling the difference music makes on their professional day.

Stephanie DeMello, MS, CCLS
Child Life Manager
CHOC Children's Hospital

Together we are doing great things!

Click HERE to participate in this year's Annual Fund!

What Exactly is Music Therapy?

According to the American Music Therapy Association, "Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program"1

What Music Therapy Is...and Is Not

The more music the better, bring it on!

"But clinical MUSIC THERAPY is the only professional research-based discipline that actively applies supportive science to the creative, emotional, and energizing experiences of music for health treatment goals."1

Music Therapy is: 

• Music Therapists must have a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy

• Music Therapists have completed 1200 hours of clinical training.

• Music Therapists Must hold a MT-BC credential, issued through Certification Board for Music  Therapists, which protects the public by ensuring competent practice and requiring continuing education.

• Music Therapy is an evidence based health profession with a strong research foundation.

• Music therapy degrees require knowledge in psychology, medicine and music.

Music Therapy is Not:

• A person with dementia listening to his favorite songs on an iPod with headphones.

• Celebrities performing at hospitals or schools.

• A piano player in a hospital

• Nurses playing background music for patients

• A choir singing on the pediatric floor of a hospital

"Music Therapy can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, between isolation and interaction, between chronic pain and comfort - between demoralization and dignity" - Barbara Crowe (past president of National Association for Music Therapy) 

 At CMF our Board Certified Music Therapists:

• Work with children with brain injuries or brain trauma to help reconnect neurons and increase brain activity.

• Work with children to reduce asthma episodes

• Work with children in the hospital to reduce pain

• Work with children who have autism to improve communication capabilities and decrease stress and anxiety

• Work with pre-mature infants to improve sleep patterns and increase weight gain.

"Music is universal but it is also highly individual and empowering."2 

Music therapy is so individualized that "going forward doctors may actually be prescribing a 'course' of musical numbers"3

 Imagine getting a prescription for your very own "mixed tape" from your doctor!

Children's Music Fund is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization  committed to provide music therapy and bring the healing power of music to children with life altering and chronic conditions.  For more information or to make a donation please visit our website:  www.thecmf.org 

1. American Music Therapy Association http://www.musictherapy.org

2. Music As Medicine: A Historical Perspective and Review of Select Clinical Applications, Alternative and Complementary Therapies, October 2013 Talin Babikian, Lonnie Zeltzer, Vartan Tachdjian, Lindsay Henry, Elan Javanfard, Lara Tucci, Mary Goodarzi , Raffi Tachdjian 

3. Music is medicine to the brain..!! Dr. NK Venkataramanaa BGS Global Institute of Neurosciences