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.  

Children’s Music Fund hosts ‘Laughter is Medicine’ 8: CMF in CHOC

Irvine, CA (January 19th, 201)–On Monday, January 25th, the Children’s Music Fund (http://thecmf.org/) (CMF) will hold its 8th annual Laughter is Medicine charity event at the Improv in the Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine,  California. The event will feature comedians Eric Schwartz and Debi Gutierrez.

Eric Schwartz (also known as "Smooth-E") is an American comedian, musician, and actor from Thousand Oaks, California known for his energetic blend of stand-up comedy, music, and video. Eric's viral videos and parodies have earned him international media attention and he has been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Showtime, BET, TMZ, and The Huffington Post.

Besides her many television appearances, Debi Gutierrez is best known for being an explosively funny comedian who takes her audiences on a high-energy, heart-warming roller coaster ride through the perils and delights of life, relationships and marriage.

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 relieving pain and anxiety,” says Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH, President and Founder of CMF.”

Last year, CMF teamed up with Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC)  to bring a Board Certified Music Therapist into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to help these tiny babies leave the NICU faster.

"Premature babies respond amazingly well to positive stimuli. These include a parent's voice, rhythmic and soft melodic music, and human touch. These are all things that Music Therapy can provide", says Dr. Raffi Tachdjian.

The event is sponsored by Aire Medical, ACap Asset Management, Axelacare, and MedicoRX

Proceeds from Laughter is Medicine 8 will go to the continued support for Music Therapy in the NICU at CHOC. Tickets can be purchased here: http://bit.ly/1ZwYJwf

 

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.

Shop at Ralph's? You can help CMF every time you shop!

Easy way to raise money for CMF! 

September 1st, 20115

Shopping for groceries can now help bring the healing power of music to children with life-altering illnesses and chronic conditions. Simply shop at Ralphs and scan your linked Ralphs Rewards Card and Children's Music Fund will benefit. 

How can you help you ask?  It's easy - Simply continue to do what you already do.... Shop at Ralphs.

Simply take the attached Scanned letter to Ralph's next time you shop and link it to your Ralph's card account - that's it...easy as pie.

Ralph's Community Support Program gives away $2 million dollars every 12 months - All we have to shop at Ralph's. By linking your Ralph's card to Children's Music Fund,  CMF will receive quarterly disbursements based on the number of people supporting our cause.  So tell your family, tell your friends, there is no cost to link you card, and all you have to do is to continue do your regular grocery shopping.

Thank you for your continued support as we aim to bring the healing power of music to over 2000 kids this year!

Together we are doing great things!

New community support cycle starts September 1st and requires a sign up every year.