Summertime music at SSM Health Treffert Center locations
The halls and spaces of the SSM Health Treffert Center and SSM Health Treffert Studios were filled with the sounds of young people being their best creative selves and making music all summer long.
Conor Watson, a psychotherapist at the Treffert Center, introduced young participants to the power and fun of drumming as a group. These experiences taught positive social and emotional skills using rhythm and drums. Members learned to express themselves through reflective discussions in a meaningful way.
Watson also led the summer Monday Morning Moving & Music sessions at the Treffert Center. Children of all ages enjoyed this time of singing, dancing, listening to stories, and playing percussion instruments. One Monday morning session included an associated craft – making ukuleles – after a lively reading of the story, "Abiyoyo." Starting the week with music is a wonderful tradition at the Treffert Center.
Virtual piano lessons were a hit at the SSM Health Treffert Studios. Technicians set up the iPad and computer for these weekly sessions taught by Dr. Tyler Harrison of California. According to his website, Dr. Harrison has a "passion for teaching voice, piano, and composition to neurodivergent populations," noting that these students are often naturally gifted in music, frequently possessing perfect pitch and a photographic memory. Following the first lesson, one family noted their son could not stop raving about how great the lesson went. "He has never sat still and focused on one thing for so long and so well. "The baby grand piano used for the lessons was donated to Treffert Studios by Drs. Robert and Brenda Grass.
These musical activities play to the strength-based Treffert Approach implemented in all SSM Health Treffert Center locations. They also speak to the power of nurturing relationships in unlocking potential within us all. The encouraging, optimistic, and caring nature of families, mentors, and teachers are key to, in Dr. Treffert’s words, "bringing to full blossom not only ‘islands of genius’ but also ‘islands of intactness’ however hidden or secret they might be."