April is Autism Awareness Month
“That felt really amazing” ~from a 10 year old student with autism after playing random music on the piano.
It was like I wasn’t there. I sat back and listened to this student play the piano. He wasn’t playing from a book. He wasn’t playing a piece of “composed” music. He was creating sound. He was trying new combinations of keys to create layers of sound. With using the pedal on the piano the sound washed over him as he held keys to listen for the combinations of vibrations. He was listening carefully as the sounds faded away. As he gently slid his fingers off the keys, I asked “What did you think?” and he said “That felt really amazing.”
Students with autism and people who help people on the autism spectrum have a special place in my heart. I know firsthand what it’s like to be a parent with a child on the autism spectrum. To watch your child and realize that some things are not going to work like they would for neural-typical children. To go through the process of finding out how your child is “different” and learning ways to best support them. And the joy of discovering some things that work for your child and watching them succeed.
I have had the great pleasure of teaching and watching students with autism as they begin their musical journey, share their music with others, and grow into successful music makers.
That’s what’s great about music lessons at Brighter Minds Music. All of our lessons are one-to-one, so students of any age or ability can work individually with a caring teacher, who can guide them to become the best they can be. Students can move at their own pace and play the music they love. If someone is really interested in Star Wars, we can figure out how to play the Star Wars theme song. If they are “stimming” on a particular phrase in music, we can work with that. If they have an interest in learning to play by ear, we can do that, too. Our amazing instructors will work with you and your individual learning styles to help you reach your musical goals.
If you’d like to learn more about what music lessons for people on the autism spectrum might look like, some of my favorite resources and inspiration, or have questions about music lessons for someone you care about, simply contact us and we can chat.
See you soon,
Emily Ireland,
Owner, Director
Brighter Minds Music