Minnesota State School for the Blind

Student and her para adpating the harp position to play.

Composing her Name Song.

Christina with the Harp building class.

   

The week of January 28 I was fortunate to be the teaching artist in residence at the Minnesota State School for the Blind through the generous support of VSA Minnesota and the Minnesota State School for the Blind Foundation.  I provided three classes a day involving group and individual harp instruction and harp building.  The final day held a performance and presentation playing their Name Song on the harp, playing Ode to Joy ensemble and presentation on how they built a harp.  I also provided therapeutic music for students who were not in the study groups.  The school had purchased their own accessible harps and they have been included in their daily music program.

Many of the students had multiple challenges along with their visual impairment or blindness. Students in my groups ranged from Autism, ADHD, ADD, Learning Disabilities, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Ushers Syndrome, CHARGE Syndrome, Emotional/behaviors Disorder, Cognitive and Development disorders and Cerebral Palsy-just to name a few.

I had a wonderful time with the students, teachers and staff at MSAB and appreciate the opportunity to share Harp-Abilities with them.

Performance time!