THE MAGIC of music is
helping special needs
children and adults in pro-
grams at the North and
West Vancouver recreation
centres starting next week.

By STEPHEN BARRINGTON

News Reporter

Music therapist Lynn Young,
24, has set up a series of programs
on the North Shore, putting her
skills to use helping special needs
children,

“Through the use of voice,
movement to music and instrument
playing, { am setting out to achieve
a number of goals,’ explains
Young, a recent graduate of the
music therapy program at
Capilano College in North Van-
couver.

EE eC

In a person — from a
very young child to a
senior citizen —
emotional trauma can
be under the surface. In
music therapy, the
underlying feelings wilf
come to the surface,
often without the person
even know. .°2,

RSE II OE TALES EY SP

In her 10-week programs, Young
gets a Start at reaching these goals
— which depending on the situa-
tions may include better self-ex-
pression, socialization or creativity
from students. ‘‘They come out at
the end with a little more con-
fidence.*’

The philosophy behind the ther-
apy comes from a belief that
within every child there is an in-
dividualized musicality. This, the
theory goes, is awakened when the

child is expressing, receiving or
communicating a musical experi-
enee,

In using music to channel the
child's feelings and emotions to the
desired goal, the therapist may
utilize a variety of mostly percus-
sion instruments.

In a person — from a very
young child to a senior citizen —
emotional trauma can be under the
surface. In music therapy, the
underlying feelings will come to
the surface, often without the per-
son even knowing.

In working with a drum, feelings
of anger can become evident when
the person can only beat ag-
gressively, not being able to play
the instrument normally.

“Through the use of playing an
instrument, they may discover
these feelings,’’ says Young,
‘* hen later get to the point of
discussing it.’’

Young stresses that her pro-
grams do not involve just listening
to music — it is the making of
music that has the therapeutic
value that therapists utilize.

Complementing the use of in-
Struments is movement to music
and vocalization — both musical
mediums that) can create new
challenges and help with the goals.

The children learn to use voice
in 1 variety of ways — as a com-
munication and self-expression
tool, to create a theme or story and
as a release of energy.

Where the more established
disciplines of psychology and
psychiatry are ill-suited to helping
some emotional patients, music
therapy sometimes can.

Experienced in hospital and
other institutional settings, Young
works as part of an entire team of
professionals, which may include a
psychologist, a socal worker, a
medical doctor or 1 collection of
other health care werkers.

41 - Wednesday, September 16, 1987 - North Shore News

Curb
the
jealousy

PAGE 43

perce

NEWS photo Nell Lucente

MUSIC THERAPIST Lynn Young uses music and musical instruments as therapy with cerebral palsy victim
lan Woodhouse. According to Young, music sustains interaction with others and improves quality of tife.

“My tool just happens to be
musie,’’ she explains of her part in
the team.

Three 10-week programs will be
held at the North Vancouver Rec-
reation Centre, and one 10-week
program will be held at the West
Vancouver Recreation Centre.

For more information on the
programs, starting as early as Sept.
23, call the North Vancouver cen-
tre at 988-6166, or the West Van-
couver centre at 926-3266.

FEATURE OF THE FIESTA

Your Choice of

~- Pozole

- Mole Poblano

- Pallo Loco

- Pescado a la Veracruzana

includes dessert, coffee and a Welcoming refreshment.
Dinner served from 7:30 till 9:00 p.m.

SEPT. 19th, come and join us for the taste of an
authentic Mexican Fiesta. You will experience a traditional
Mexican atmosphere, full of fun, with two musical Mexican
groups. enjoyable folkloric dancing and more!

$2()9°

Per person.
Limited admittance

FES MEUCANA

Tickets on sale row!

For information call $85-TACO
1200 Lonsdale Ave., North Van —

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