December 17, 2024—Laurie Russell, Executive Director

Back and Better Than Ever
WCMS has a long history of providing music therapy for individuals and groups in the community. However, when COVID-19 struck, many of these offerings had to be paused. I am excited to share that over the past year, WCMS has been rebuilding our music therapy program, now stronger than ever!

Transforming Lives
WCMS employs two music therapists, Monika Gibbons and Shayla McDermott. Monika leads the People with Parkinson’s online group, while Shayla conducts the same group in person at WCMS. Additionally, Shayla has re-established and expanded our partnerships with local healthcare and assisted living facilities to provide on-site group music therapy.

Monika and Shayla serve as valuable resources for the WCMS teaching artists, offering support and strategies to work effectively with students who may have diverse learning and behavioral needs. WCMS also provides one-on-one music therapy sessions for individuals of all ages and varying needs.

Learn more about music therapy at WCMS.

Monthly “Coffee and Conversations with Laurie” kick off on Wednesday, January 15 at 9:30-11 AM. These are informal drop in sessions where you can hear firsthand about all the fabulous things happening at WCMS, as well as have a bird’s eye view of school’s building expansion construction site from my office window. Please stop by!