Feel the Music Blog

Feel the Music! Supports Ukraine

Our hearts are with Ukraine and the millions of people displaced by the war, as well as to Russians who have fled Russia for fear of persecution, arrest or worse. We support the IARPP Ukrainian Psychotherapist Relief Fund, which provides direct funds to psychotherapists in Ukraine: On March 7, 2022, IARPP launched the IARPP Ukrainian Psychotherapist Relief Fund – https://iarpp.memberclicks.net/IARPPUkraineSupport – for the purpose of helping psychotherapists in Ukraine with the basic living expenses of food, water, housing and medical…

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Remembrances on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Feel the Music! was born as a hopeful response to tragedy and loss, bringing music to children who had lost a parent or family member on 9/11. The initial idea came to singer-songwriter Valerie Ghent as she bicycled up West Street after volunteering at Ground Zero during the 9/11 recovery. “How can we help the children?” Valerie asked. Brainstorming with fellow musicians Arturo O’Farrill, Bashiri Johnson and Bar Scott, psychoanalysts Lew Aron, Steven Knoblach and Spyros Orfanos, and 9/11 family…

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Solidarity & Unity: Feel the Music! Supports Black Lives Matter

We at Feel the Music! call out injustice, systemic racism, sexism, hate, and intolerance. Our mission is to offer health, wellness, resilience, and healing through our music and art programs. We support Black Lives Matter. We affirm our commitment to change, and stand for justice, racial equality, love and greater understanding. Looking for ways to help? Many are asking, what can I do? Here are organizations you can learn about, support, volunteer and donate to. National Museum of African American…

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Feel The Music! Received a Chelsea & Hudson Yards Innovation Grant

GREAT NEWS! We just received a $5,000 grant from The West Side Community Fund and Citizens Committee for New York City to support our percussion workshops at VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Here is our founder Valerie Ghent with Margaret Coady of the Coach Foundation. Thank you West Side Community Fund and Citizens Committee for New York City for supporting our work. The power of music!

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In the Waiting Room

When attending our observing one of our Kids Kicking Cancer workshops at Columbia, whether songwriting, singing, or calming cello to soothe the environment when it gets busy, it’s amazing to see how music changes the mood of everyone there. The waiting room can be a stressful place; as one grapples with administrative tasks, while worrying about a treatment for themselves or a loved one that may be forthcoming. Whatever age, or role, whether actively engaged in writing/singing or actively listening…

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Creating w/Kids Kicking Cancer

We have the privilege of working with youth, families, and care providers at the Herbert Irving Child and Adolescent Oncology Center at Columbia University; what an inspiration they are, and what a joy for us to be able to learn from and create with them. As one of our teaching artists for this program, Eleanor Dubinsky, so eloquently put it, the “difference between you and I” becomes very minuscule in this grounding, real space where love truly abounds, and music…

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First Fridays: The Power of Music

I had the joy of attending our First Fridays at Bailey’s Cafe this past week; an event led by legendary singer/songwriter and FtM teaching artist Janice Pendarvis that combines singing, food and conversation in an intergenerational event for any and all to attend. No matter what ages happen to be there, it is always amazing to see how the act of singing together opens up conversations that, I believe, would not happen otherwise. Our theme this past week was mothers; and a…

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Creative Aging Updates!

  Our programs for seniors are thriving this spring! Feel the Music! Singin’ Seniors at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House are in full swing, with a packed house for their April 1 concert, and another planned for June 17! Please mark your calendars now, come and join teaching artists Deborah Berg and Clare Cooper, along with our talented singers for another ROCKIN’ show! Not only are we singin’ the winter blues away, but our own Bashiri Johnson has our Feel the Music!…

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Singin’ Seniors are Thriving!

On 2/18/16, I paid a visit to our Feel the Music! Singin’ Seniors class at St. Peter’s Church – what a treat! This thriving group has a loyal following of repeat students, and has grown with newcomers each year – this class had a whopping 21 students! It is a thrill to see and hear how they’ve grown in learning complex harmonies and rhythms – and most importantly, in learning to create together within community. After class, I showed them…

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