• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Print Subscription
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Contact Us

Music Therapy Institute: Celebrates 25 years of Rich History of Programs

March 4, 2012 by The Inside Press

By Pamela Brown
Photos by Richard Falco

Music offers self-exploration, healing, and social connections. “Most individuals develop a very close personal relationship to music that remains with them throughout their lives,” said Lisa Sandagata, co-director of the Music Therapy Institute (MTI). For 25 years, MTI has been the largest provider of professional music therapy services in the greater Westchester region, helping more than 25,000 children and adults grow, express, learn, and change through individual and group classes/programs at the Music Conservatory of Westchester (MCW) and throughout Westchester county.

On March 16th, MTI will celebrate its anniversary with Dance the Night Away at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains. Guests will enjoy dinner and dancing to music of Don DuPont’s 19-piece Big Band. ABC-TV meteorologist Bill Evans is host. “It’s an amazing milestone. Our programs have real staying power because of their high quality and because they mean so much to our students and their families,” said Jean Newton, Executive Director. Two community leaders will be honored: Marsha Gordon, President/CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, for her commitment to the arts and longtime support of Westchester ARC, and Conservatory board member/former president Alan E. Katz, Partner, Greenfield Stein & Senior, for his outstanding dedication and commitment to MTI.

MTI was created in 1986 to utilize music to successfully and positively impact the lives of individuals with physical disabilities and cognitive delays. “Including a music therapy program at the Conservatory helped us fully realize our mission to make music available and accessible to everyone in the community,” said Sandagata. Since its inception, MTI has partnered with 26 organizations, including eight public school districts, to provide music therapy programs and professional development for music educators. Annually, MTI serves people with a wide variety of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, chronic medical conditions, developmental disabilities, and behavioral/learning disorders. “It gives individuals the opportunity to be musical, share their accomplishments with their peers and family members, develop personal and social skills through music, and explore the sheer joy of music,” she said, noting individualized programs  provide opportunities for social interaction, emotional expression, increased attention and communication skills, growth in motor skills, and can alleviate pain and stress.

“The elements that make up music correspond closely to aspects of one’s life, for example, body rhythms and vocal expressions embodying melody and harmony. Actively creating music is activating the whole person, stimulating all aspects of one’s being and bringing connection to what is within and what is outside,” said Sandagata.

After learning of MTI’s reputation for high-quality, individualized music therapy, Jill Faber of Chappaqua, enrolled her son, Nathaniel, in private music therapy sessions with Sandagata.  “He benefited in many ways from his work with Lisa.  The therapy gave him the opportunity to enjoy making music–playing the guitar and singing while improving his focus and communication skills,” said Faber, member of MTI Advisory Committee. Through MTI, Nathaniel’s attention improved, his receptive and expressive language increased, and he enjoyed exploring and experiencing music. “Without this individualized program, adapted for children like Nathaniel with severe disabilities, he would’ve missed out on pursuing this much-loved activity.”

MTI’s 25th anniversary celebration underscores its commitment to spreading the joy of music. “Music is an incredibly powerful tool that touches people intellectually, emotionally, and physically,” said Newton.

Dance the Night Away will be held March 16th at the CV Rich Mansion at 305 Ridgeway in White Plains.Cocktails start at 6:30. Dinner will be served at 7:30 in the ballroom, then dancing from 8 to midnight. Event tickets start at $250; sponsorships and tables are also available. For more information, visit htpp://swingwithmcw.eventbrite.com. For information on MTI or MCW, call (914)761-3900 or visit www.musicconservatory.org.

 

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • NY Ketamine Infusions Opens Third Location In Westchester County to Serve Community’s Mental Health Needs
  • Celebrate Friday Night Pride on June 2 in Hastings-on Hudson
  • Westchester County Office of Economic Development and Sustainable Westchester Team Up to Launch Clean Energy Accelerator Program
  • World Cup Gymnastics Athletes Sawyer Robertson and Victor Dyakin Take Home Bronze Medals at the 2023 Eastern DP National Championship
  • Announcing the Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass
  • Celebrating Service Above Self: A Look Back at the 2023 Awards at the Rotary Club of Chappaqua Charter Night

Please Visit

White Plains Hospital
Compass: Generic
Compass: Suzette Kraus
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Caramoor
William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
Repose
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Rocks by Jolie B. Ray
Douglas Elliman: Chappaqua
Club Fit
Tanya Tochner Interiors by ROCKS
Compass: Natalia Wixom
Pleasantville Community Synagogue
Stacey Cohen: Brand up Book
Play Nice Together
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
Logrea Dance Academy
Compass: Usha Subramaniam
Compass: Yona Stougo
Elliman: Pam Akin

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Chappaqua Inside Armonk Inside Pleasantville

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2023 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in