March 2025
Hello -
March 1st was World Music Therapy Day, and to honor this international recognition of our profession I was happy to submit an op-ed to the Reno Gazette Journal reminding our community of the importance of oversight for health care professions such as music therapy. Music therapists in Nevada have worked hard to gain professional recognition for years. In fact, did you know that Nevada was the first state in the country to create state-specific licensure through the legislature? This was in 2011, and there are now 28 states that provide state oversight of music therapy alongside national certification! With all that’s going on in the world right now, licensing music music therapy might not seem like the most important thing. However, it is a small part of an overall need to make sure that the most vulnerable and marginalized people have access to the services that make their lives healthier and more whole. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to check out my op-ed On World Music Therapy Day, a note to legislators: Proceed with caution and let us know if you’d like to be involved in our advocacy efforts during this current legislative session and beyond. Thank you!
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
Love is In the Air
NMTS was thrilled to partner with our friends at the Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada at their “Down for Love” Singles Mixer at The Garden of Reno!
The event was for all adults with developmental disabilitie looking for new friendships or a romantic relationship and provided a safe space for adults to find love, if they so chose.
It looks like everyone had a great time!
Podcasters Wanted
NMTS is building a podcast about how members of the LGBTQ+ community find joy. Supervised by Eric, we’re hoping to feature voices of LGBTQ+ youth to highlight and celebrate the ways they bring joy into their lives, whether it’s through friends, family, special interests, hobbies, talents, or anything that makes them happy!
When: Mondays 5:30-6:20pm
Where: NMTS recording studio at 2590 Orovada St., Reno, NV 89512
Who: LGBTQ+ ages 12-18 yrs
Cost: $50 per month (sliding fee scale available)
The official name of the podcast, frequency of releases, theme song, and other details will be decided by whoever joins the group. With this podcast, group members will learn about recording, editing, and producing audio and music in our new state-of-the-art studio.
Whether you want to be the star of an episode, a small contributor, or just help with the audio production, we’d love to have you! You can even come if you just want to hang out with other LGBTQ+ people talking about what brings them joy!
If you’d like to learn more, you can email Eric, or call 775.324.5521.
Out and About
February was short but action packed!
The Note-Ables took a road trip to Lovelock as part of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts Youth Program, and managed to get a little sightseeing in along the way. Eric represented NMTS on FOX News -11 to discuss the effect music has on emotions for Valentine’s Day. NMTS co-hosted a Drum Circle with our friends at Reno Drum Tribe, and we wrapped up the month with our first Fun Friday Night “Open Mic Night” of the year!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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10:00 - 11:00 am at NMTS
Come join your fellow music lovers in an informal jam session! All levels are welcome. Feel free to bring your own instruments or borrow one of ours. Open to all ages and ability levels!
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Every Monday | 5:00 - 6:00 pm at NMTS
Learn circle, line, contra, and square dancing from a live caller in our new Country Dance class, every Monday, starting January 6th.
Classes are $50 / month (sliding scale available).
Call 775.324.5531 to register or for more information.
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11:15 am - 12:00 pm in the NMTS east parking lot
Through the Senior Nutrition & Wellness (SNW) program (formerly Commodity Supplemental Food Program/CSFP), the Food Bank of Northern Nevada provides a monthly box of nutritious pantry staples to low-income seniors 60 years and over.
They’ll be in the MNTS east parking lot the 2nd Monday of every month from 11:15 am to 12 noon.
(Clients are asked to complete a CSFP application at their first visit, to determine program eligibility. If approved, your application will be valid for 3 years, pending an annual verbal recertification. In order to quality, a recipient must be 60 years of age or older, a resident of Nevada and have an income under 130% of the Federal Poverty Line.)
Get more info here
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Join NMTS, and the Reno Drum Tribe Community Circle for a Drum Circle in the Jerry Smith Auditorium.
Bring drums, percussion and your love of the beats and sacred sound.
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4:30 - 5:30 pm at NMTS
Led by Yoga Your Way LLC founder, Nichole Schembre. Enjoy a meditative experience that bathes you in sound waves produced by instruments such as crystal singing bowls, percussion, and chimes.
FREE - Ages 12+
Comfy dress code. Blankets and mat encouraged.
Space is limited! Please RSVP here
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12:00 - 1:00 pm at NMTS
NMTS is always looking for people who enjoy spending time giving back to their community. If you are interested in learning more about our programs and volunteer opportunities, please register for our next Volunteer Orientation (12-1pm on the 4th Friday of each month) by contacting dena@nmtsreno.org or calling 775.324.5521.
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5:30 - 6:45 pm at NMTS
Be our guest, be our guest and sing along to your favorite film at this Friday Fun Night event!
Event ends at 6:45 p.m. Pick up is no later than 7 p.m. This is an all ages event and individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Event is free but there is a suggested $5 donation to NMTS.
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10:00 - 10:30 am in the NMTS east parking lot
The Food bank of Northern Nevada brings its “Produce on Wheels” program to the east parking lot of NMTS from 10:15 - 11:00 am on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
If you’re age 60 or older, come by and get some free produce!
(You must be a Nevada resident, have a valid ID, and be willing to complete a brief Intake Form and Survey.)
Get more info here
Staff Playlist March 2025
The Academy Awards, a.k.a. “The Oscars” were this month, so we asked the staff for their favorite songs from the movies.
Elizabeth - “Shpadoinkle Day” from “Cannibal! The Musical”
“Shpadoinkle Day” from Cannibal! The Musical is one of my favorite songs of all time. It’s silly and nonsensical and reminds me of a time in my life when optimism was more readily available to me.
Jon - The Wonders - “ That Thing You Do” from “That Thing You Do”
This near-perfect piece of pop ear candy, written by the late Adam Schlesinger of “Fountains of Wayne”, was the title song for the 1996 writing and directing debut of actor Tom Hanks, “That Thing You Do”. It perfectly captures the sound and innocence of the mid-sixties, and never fails to put a smile on my face.
Nate - Gary Jules - “Mad World” from “Donnie Darko”
Manal - Mikis Theodorakis - “Zorba’s Dance” from “Zorba the Greek”
My parents had this soundtrack and we listened to it all the time growing up. I loved dancing in the living room with my Mom to this! I also think that the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction is one of the best ever - too hard to choose just one favorite :)
Sharon - Judy Garland - “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz”
This all-time classic won the Oscar for “Best Song” in 1940.
Wendy - “Razzle Dazzle” from “Chicago”
I love musicals and Chicago is one of my favorites! Razzle Dazzle is the song that talks about how they are going to get the murderer, Roxy, off without charges. More cynical than most of the songs I really enjoy, but this one just cracks me up, like
"What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?
Razzle dazzle 'em, And they'll never catch wise!"
Sam - “Flying” from “Peter Pan”
The piece I’m choosing is from the 2003 film Peter Pan. It’s called “Flying” by James Newton Howard. This was my favorite movie as a kid, and every time I hear it, I’m transported back to when I saw the film for the first time. It often brings me tears of joy.
Dena - Leonard Cohen - “Waiting for the Miracle” from “Natural Born Killers”
This is a great desert driving song!
Commercial Kitchen for Rent at NMTS
Our fabulous commercial kitchen is available for rent! The kitchen offers 960 square feet for cooking and prep.
It features a six-burner gas stove and oven, a cabinet to store and reheat previously cooked food, two stainless prep tables, a two-door commercial fridge, a one-door commercial freezer, a Frigidaire freezer, a three-compartment sink, a dishwasher, a handwashing sink, and plenty of shelves and cabinets for storage.
Rent is $3,000 per month, including building maintenance, grease trap cleaning, snow removal, landscaping, and utilities (except phone and Wi-Fi).
The facility is fully accessible and centrally located near bus service.
For more information, email Dena Sweigart or call 775.324.5521.
February Thank Yous
Thank you to our February donors:
Kendra Bertschy, Robert Duste, Wendy Firestone, Michael & Stephanie Hix, Michael Lahnala, Stephen Martin, Mary Ann McCauley, Paul Metzker, James Mitchell, Whitney Pomi, Ristorcelli Charitable Account, Jorge Torres, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Eileen Way
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Susan Boner, Dodie Bryant, Michelle Burke, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, MaryLee Fulkerson, CeCelia 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 & Mel Minarik, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Brad Lund & Trudy Miller, Deanna Lyons, Pam Macy, Lynda Mahorter, Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Mary Miller, Sophie Moeller, Pauline Mooers, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Lisa A Rizzoli, Pam Miller Russell, Cindy Sabatini, Jake & Rachel Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Jennifer Tibben, Sarah & Nate Toney, Ken & Doreen Vogel, Lori & Don Welsh, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young & Jodie Barker
Thank you volunteers:
Kendra Bertschy, Jeff Bloyd, Char Choate, Jacob Davis, Cheryl Eckert, Matt Ennis, Adilene Garcia, Mark Geeson, Mike Hix, Michael Lahnala, Andrea Lenz, Tony Martin, Mary Ann McCauley, Dr. Olga Mesina, Nanette Mueller, Whitney Pomi, Cindy Prescott, Kelly Rigby, Stephanie Schoen, Rebecca Shipley, Jake Steinman, Dave Stockman, Lindsey Tromerhauser