June
2024
Hello –
As you probably know, June is Pride Month, which celebrates the identity, history, and achievements of LGBTQ+ people in our country. When we think of Pride Month, most of us think of rainbows and celebrations, which are of course important. But like any liberation movement, I think it is important to recognize the history behind the parties and parades. Did you know that Pride Month and the first Pride marches actually came out of the Stonewall Uprising in 1969? The first Pride march took place in 1970 as a way to honor the uprising of the year before. Like all social justice movements, the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights has (and continues to be) just that. A struggle. One that has often been met with brutality and repression that people have overcome through determination and resilience. So as you are sharing rainbow pictures and uplifting memes, I encourage you to also take some time to learn the history behind this month. Freedom and civil rights rarely come easily, and they are never guaranteed. So please join us in celebrating this month of honoring those in the LGBTQ+ community who have fought, and are continuing to fight, for liberation and justice for all. Happy Pride Month!
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
Summer Music Camps
Summer’s here and the time is right for…summer camps!!
After taking last year off during renovations, we are so excited to be hosting not one, but two summer music camps this year at 2590 Orovada Street.
Music Camp for 6-12 yr olds | June 24-28 from 9-11am | $100*
Music Camp for 13+ | July 8-12 from 10a-2p | $200*
Participants will be singing, dancing and making music. These are hands-on experiential camps that will include opportunities to try many instruments and different kinds of music. The 13+ group will have a performance on Friday, July 12 and friends and family will be invited to come and see their campers shine!
If you are interested in participating in a camp, reach out SOON! Spots are filling up fast! Call the office at 775-324-5521 for more information.
* Sliding scales are available
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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11:00a - 12:00 pm at NMTS
Come join your fellow music lovers in an informal jam session! All levels are welcome in this self-led group. Feel free to bring your own instruments or borrow one of ours. We look forward to jamming with you!
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9:00 - 11:00 am at NMTS - $100
Is your little one interested in music? This week-long camp will introduce them to singing, dancing, playing music, and new friends!
Camp is filling up fast, so call the office today if you are interested! (775) 324-5521
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5:30 pm at NMTS
Hosted by Upstate Nevada, this introductory fitness class is for all ages and all ability levels! Come and check out this FREE event and see how you can become involved. Check out their website at http://upstatenevada.com for more information. We hope to see you there!
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4:45 pm at NMTS
Hosted by Upstate Nevada, this introductory fitness class is for all ages and all ability levels! Come and check out this FREE event and see how you can become involved. Check out their website at http://upstatenevada.com for more information. We hope to see you there!
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5:30 - 6:45 pm at NMTS
This month we are going back to an Open Mic Night! We can’t wait to hear what you have been working on. Whether you are singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or showcasing another talent, this is your time to SHINE!
Everyone is welcome to join; although, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free with a suggested donation of $5.
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10:00 am - 2:00 pm at NMTS - $200 (sliding scale available)
This popular camp is back! Enjoy a week of singing, dancing and playing music with like-minded friends. You will wrap up the week with a performance to show your friends and family what you have been working on.
This camp will fill up fast, so call the office TODAY for more information. (775)324-5521
See the full Calendar of Events for NMTS by clicking below:
Eric’s Playlist - June
Hello Friends and Allies,
I hope that everyone can find a little something to suit their personal music preferences with this short Pride Playlist.
LGBTQ+ artists can be found in all genres, and I wanted to highlight just a few with this playlist. We hope that everyone can find a new LGBTQ+ artist that suits their music taste this pride month. Enjoy!
Eric Gieseke (They, Them) MT-BC, LPMT
Rock: We all know of LGBTQ+ rock legends like Freddie Mercury and Rob Halford of Judas Priest. Here I wanted to highlight one of my favorite hard rock artists Halestorm. The lead singer Lzzy Hale is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and fierce advocate for everyone else in the community. Plus she just rocks so hard!
Halestorm - I Miss The Misery [Official Video]
Electronic: GRiZ is such a great electronic music artist and also just happens to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community. With all the rainbows associated with Pride month the title of this song made it feel like one of the most appropriate to share by this artist.
Color Of Your Soul - GRiZ x CloZee (Official Video)
Country: I absolutely adore Orville Peck's voice! He has got a beautiful country quality and he also happens to be a member of and inspiring advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. This song mentions Reno which is why I choose it but, I also recommend his most recent song that he did with Willie Nelson.
Orville Peck - Outta Time (Official Lyric Video)
Folk/Acoustic: Joy is an amazing advocate for many things including the LGBTQ+ community. On top of that she takes her journey and creates beautiful music to show what she has seen and been through and how she continues to rise above it. This song is great to reflect on why we are able to celebrate Pride month as we all just 'try to keep up with the changes.
Changes Lyrics - Joy Oladokun
Hip-Hop: If you haven't heard of Lil Nas X you just might have taken your horse to an old town road where you have been hiding for the past few years. He is an iconic hip-hop artist who has stirred up some controversy just by coming out as gay. Luckily he still continues to make amazing music and inspires many LGBTQ+ people to pursue whatever genre they enjoy.
Lil Nas X - Panini (Official Video)
Pop: (Bonus song from intern Alice Green)
It came out 9 years ago, but this is my favorite song from Sam Smith (they/them) who is the first openly non-binary musician to have a song reach number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and win a Grammy.
Like I Can - Sam Smith
Singing Together at High Notes
Each spring we hold our annual High Notes Society fundraiser. High Notes Society Members make a 5-year pledge to donate $500 or more each year. This, along with our monthly donors, provides NMTS with a base of fundraising that allows us to plan for the future. If you are interested in becoming a monthly donor or making a High Notes Society level pledge, please reach out to our Development Director, Wendy at wendy@nmtsreno.org or 775.324.5521.
At this year’s event, we had a BIG treat with two of our music therapists, Sam and Eric, teaming up with one of our long-time supporters Jennie Tibben to perform “One Voice.” Of course, we had to add a sing along portion! Enjoy the video!!!
Jennie, Eric, and Sam sing "One Voice" with the audience from the High Notes Society fundraiser.
May Thank Yous
Thank you to our May donors:
Megan Berner, H. Louise Bernstone, Susan Boner, Barbara Culver, Elizabeth Lenz Parent Teacher Association, Deaira Elwell, Scott Faulkner, Wendy Firestone, Joyce Fisher, Marsha Harris, Jill Hemenway, Rick & Elsa Heroux, Baron Hershberger, Sharon Hickox, Michael Hix, Andy Hughes, Susan Jepsen, Sara Jerpseth-Glendinning, Debra Kamka, Kate Kirkpatrick, Haakon Lang-Ree, Cecilia Lee, Peter Lenz, Valerie Luevano, Brad Lund, Lynda Mahorter, Tony Manfredi, Meadows Bank, Patti Meals, Sophie Moeller, NAMI Northern Nevada, Ellen & Tony OMalley Eng, Bill Plauth, Q&D Construction, Bonnie Read, Bill Roach, Pam Miller Russell, Grace Schoenfeld, Jeannie Steinman, Chris & Doyle Stewart, Stillwater Foundation, Sandra Tackett, Tracy & Jeff Turner, Ken & Doreen Vogel, Wayne & Jan Wasserburger, Eileen Way, Kimberly Weingartner, Gina Wertz, Dave & Connie Wilson, Russ Zito
Extra thanks to our monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Barb Anderson, Shannon Beets, Dodie Bryant, Michelle Burke, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, MaryLee Fulkerson, Cece Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Mary Jo Gieseke, Karen Golonka, Carrie Harding, Beverly Hennen, Sharon Hickox, Daniel Hickox-Young, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Deanna Lyons, Pam Macy, Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Pauline Mooers, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Rikki Powers, Lisa A Rizzoli, Cindy Sabatini, Jake Steinman, Judith Stewart, Julie Sulahria, Jennifer Tibben, Sarah Toney, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young
Thank you volunteers:
Aaron Kirkpatrick, Andy Hughes, Anna Costella, Audry Irwin, Becca Shipley, Carole Chouinard, Cheryl Eckert, Cheryl Wright-Hay, Dave Stockman, Diana Medina, Ethan Ware, Greg McNie, Jeff Bloyd, Katie Amorelli, Kendra Bertschy, Laura Matushek, Mark Geeson, Michael Lahnala, Mike Hix, Sohpie Moeller, Whitney Pomi
