The amazing story of Andy Mackie, a retired horse trainer who threw away his heart meds to buy musical instruments for children. Still going strong…
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Category Archives: Music Therapy
Music Therapy Misconceptions Clarified
One of the difficulties of the Music Therapy profession is educating an often misinformed public on the exact nature of the profession. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) has a FAQ section on their website that offers a nice plain language guide to give you a sense of the nature of music therapy, it’s applications, and how it is applied – including the certification programs.
AMTA Frequently Asked Questions web page
Also, in my interview with Karen Nisenson, Executive Director of Arts for Healing, an integrated creative arts therapy center, she discusses an example that explains the nature of music therapy and the effect that it can have on autistic patients. Listen on iTunes (PotentialofMusic.com podcast) or follow this link.
The Lifelong Impact of One Year of Music Education
Research indicates that even one year of music training can impact the ability of the brain to function at a higher level. The impact is even more pronounced for those with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
Article link.
Stanley Jordan performs Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Lullabelly – Music for Babies in the Womb
Music for babies in the womb? Here’s a product that makes it easy – Lullabelly. http://ping.fm/MHOn1
Music Therapy & Autism: Arts for Healing’s Karen Nisenson
Here’s a video that gives an overview of the work of Arts for Healing, a creative arts therapy center that helps those with developmental disabilities. Executive Director and founder Karen Nisenson is one of the 32 professional I interviewed in my book.
15 Heart Medications or Music – Which is More Powerful?
CBS News’ Assignment America did an amazing story Friday on Andy Mackie, a 70-year old man who believes in the power of music. After 9 heart surgeries, doctors had prescribed 15 medications. One day he tired of the medications and decided to buy 300 harmonicas and lessons for school children with the money he would have spent on medicine. He thought it was the last thing he’d ever do.
Eleven years and 13,000 harmonicas later, Andy is still going strong. “I guess they don’t need a harmonica player in heaven yet,” says Mackie, a retired horse trainer who lives a modest life in a trailer in upstate Washington.
To find out more about Andy’s work:
Visit the Andy Mackie Music Foundation Website
Buy Your Pet an Ipod? Yes, says this GRAMMY nominee
Stanley Jordan is a GRAMMY-nominated and groundbreaking jazz guitarist. His unique tapping technique gave the instrument new possibilities, allowing the freedom to generate independent sounds with both hands. Stanley is also a tireless proponent of the power of music, including the field of music therapy.
Here’s an audio excerpt from our conversation regarding the amazing ability of animals to decifer the intracacies of music:
Stanley-Jordan_Animals-and-music
Stanley Jordan’s official website
Stanley live:
