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Therapeutic Musical Interventions
A Message From Our Founder,
Nandani Sinha
For over twelve years I have been working in the field of music for wellness and health, pioneering programs for multiple organizations nationally. My journey in this work of music intervention for Alzheimer's Dementia, and Brain trauma came to me by necessity and stayed by passion. I was trained professionally as an opera singer with an international career and with multiple awards.
About 15 years ago my father was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson's disease. My brilliant father was a college professor, Ph.D., and editor/author of mustiple sociology texts. The progression of his disease caused us to lose him twice, once in mind and spirit and secondly in body. His 15 year decline was immensely difficult for our family. My mother insisted on overseeing every aspect of his care, and he was fortunate enough to remain at home throughout this life. This connection to the familiar, home, and place in the world is disrupted by these diseases causing anxiety, fear, and great sadness.
Every visit home to visit my father showed a steep decline until the day that he no longer recognized me anymore. He was terrified of me and only recognized my mother - leading to heartbreaking encounters for my entire family. But, if I sang to my father, or my mother played a recording of me for him, he knew me immediately and would smile and he felt calm and comfortable. It also brought comfort to me to see a glimmer of the man who was my foundation and be able to interact with him again for a brief while.
After my father passed I found a way to honor his memory by singing for multiple Enliven Units weekly and learning through hands-on experience, NDCCP Certification, Traumatic Stress Studies Certification, and Cognitive Neurological Studies. My studies helped me grasp how complex the brain and these diseases are; and that our scientific understanding and research are in their infancy. I, with a passion to be a part of the solution, research, and to bring relief to sufferers and their loved ones have created programs for LA Opera, Alzheimer's Los Angeles, Songs by Heart and Sing for Hope.
During the pandemic all live in-person programs were cancelled and the communities I had been singing for were now in isolation. My clients, their loved ones, and caregivers were cut off and lonely without any activities that were a staple of their weekly schedule. For some, the isolation, depression, and loneliness on top of their memory decline were too much. So, I created Music Heals Minds for individuals, organizations, institutions, and hospitals who work with Dementia, Alzheimer's and Traumatic Brain Injury. Music Heals Minds is on the cutting edge of limbic therapy, somatic regulation and musical intervention by using music as a medium to access the HOME circuit (Human Oxytocin Mediated Empathy) to sing and bring people home to themselves and their loved ones. It is my honor to spend my time working in this arena and bringing comfort and calm toI our loved ones suffering from Dementia, Alzheimer's and Traumatic Brain Injury. I look forward to singing with you and your loved one.
About Us
Our Philosophy
Music Heals Minds provides engagement-centered programs for Memory Care communities. In each program, a professional singer leads an interactive sing-along with piano or guitar accompaniment. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all programs are currently held virtually via Zoom.
What makes us different from musical entertainment is that our artists use proven and studied therapeutic techniques such as mirroring, eye-contact, and verbal and gestural prompting to stimulate minds and engage participants. They encourage residents to join in the singing, clapping, dancing, and conversation centered around the musical selections and the memories they kindle.
Our Approach
Our artists are internationally-recognized performers and educators. From Walt Disney Hall to the Metropolitan Opera, to Covent Garden, they have shared their artistry world-wide while maintaining a deep commitment to their communities.
We curate a broad range of music and movement-based content, encompassing all styles and genres, while addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
We are dedicated to the science and research of understanding the complexity of brain disease and trauma. In addition to our performance programs, we actively partner with researchers, academic institutions, clinicians, healthcare providers, and the public sector to further develop regenerative medicine, ensure equitable access to high-quality memory care, and ensure a brighter future for the aging.
Commitment to Our Clients
Music Heals Minds provides engagement-centered programs for Memory Care communities. In each program, a professional singer leads an interactive sing-along with piano or guitar accompaniment. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all programs are currently held virtually via Zoom.
What makes us different from musical entertainment is that our artists use proven and studied therapeutic techniques such as mirroring, eye-contact, and verbal and gestural prompting to stimulate minds and engage participants. They encourage residents to join in the singing, clapping, dancing, and conversation centered around the musical selections and the memories they kindle.
Racial Equality Statement
Music Heals Minds recognizes that our society is challenged to overcome a complex web of inequities – racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, and ableism among them. All of these forms of discrimination are powerful drivers of unequal individual and group outcomes. However, it is our belief that senior citizens whose identities intersect with those of other “minority” social statuses often experience compounded mistreatment that is amplified by the interaction of race.
We support the work being undertaken to dismantle the array of social and economic injustices; however, MHM has determined that we must focus our efforts to heighten our effectiveness. We move forward from our assessment that racism is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and that meaningful progress on advancing racial equity will have significant positive impact on challenging other discrimination-based injustices. Therefore, our current priority is working against racism by working toward racial equity in the field of therapeutic music interventions.
