Category: Company News

Five reasons you should attend the 2023 Boundless Retreat

Posted on by Julie Palmieri

Registration is now open for the 2023 Boundless Retreat, which will take place in a few short months on the warm beaches of South Carolina from November 12-16.

Meredith here! I can think of so many reasons why retreats are so important for entrepreneurs and business owners like you. Below, I share my top five reasons why YOU should attend the Boundless Retreat.

  1. Develop valuable connections with like-minded, creative, human-centered entrepreneurs that will help support you in your journey.
  2. Boundless is an experience that cannot be imitated! From the activities we have planned to the magic that will happen in this particular group, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
  3. Experience the value of being a part of a working mastermind – a group with shared intentions and a commitment to moving forward! You won’t believe what will come forward when the creative forces of this group start flowing!
  4. You deserve this! I’ll say it again — YOU DESERVE THIS! Between the gorgeous retreat accommodations, the spectacular scenery, the fabulous meals and time and space to invest in you; this place will fill you so that you can keep giving to others!
  5. Share some creativity with yourself! The focus on taking care of yourself and deepening your knowledge and skills as a business owner throughout this weekend will help you keep the passion flowing for your work and your career!

Give yourself the gift of time and space at the Boundless Retreat. Turn your attention to thinking and dreaming. I cannot wait to see what you’ll do and what you’ll take away!

~ Meredith

Colorful ocean beach sunrise with deep blue sky and sun rays.

Registration open for the 2023 Boundless Retreat!

Posted on by Julie Palmieri

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA | NOVEMBER 12-16, 2023

Do you find yourself constantly working in your business?

 Do you feel continuously pulled in a million different directions as a business owner?

Do you rarely get to step out of your email inbox or your routine to strategize for your future?

What if you had dedicated time and space to focus solely ON your business, your dreams, and your future?

Introducing the 2023 Boundless Retreat, an invigorating and challenging retreat focused on giving you the time and space you need to let your dreams and your ideas percolate.

During this four-day retreat, you will have the margin to imagine the possibilities for your business. You will receive the opportunity to learn from and make meaningful connections with other like-minded business owners. You will set your intentions, expand your mindset, and truly be boundless.

In addition to a transformative retreat experience, you will escape to sunny Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where you will settle into a beautiful and luxurious home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, while enjoying catered meals and the company of other business owners.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE RETREAT DETAILS

Join the Together With The Beat: Expanding Your Early Childhood Music Toolbox online event!

Posted on by Julie Palmieri

Green, maroon, white, and gold rectangle with a headshot of Elizabeth Schwartz along with the words "Together With The Beat: Expanding Your Early Childhood Music Toolbox" and Online via Zoom, August 30, 2023 from 8-9 Eastern.

Together With The Beat

Expanding Your Early Childhood Music Toolbox

ONLINE via ZOOM

Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 8-9pm Eastern

 

Join Elizabeth Schwartz, MA, LCAT, MT-BC for the online event Together With The Beat: Expanding Your Early Childhood Music Toolbox. The event will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 8-9pm ET.

Click here to learn more and RSVP!

 

Meet the Team: Donna Polen, LCAT, MT-BC

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Today, we have Donna Polen.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I started with RMTS in January 2022 as a Faculty Supervisor. In December 2022, I agreed to take on the role of Internship Director so that RMTS could reactivate their AMTA National Roster Internship. We hustled and were thrilled to receive approval from the Association Internship Approval Committee on February 9, 2023!

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I was in the first graduating class at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Piano is my primary instrument; I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old.

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into who you are today?

My academic program provided me with a broad view of clinical populations and settings and opened my eyes to a lot of psychological orientations. The biggest impact, however, was the wisdom of my professor, Connie Willeford, in guiding me to the right internship program, where I learned foundational concepts and skills based on the Nordoff-Robbins model of Creative Music Therapy. This is where I was able to channel my lifelong love of the piano into my desire to help people with challenges uncover their true potentials.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

My themes are Learner, Connectedness, Achiever, Strategic, and Relator.

I think the theme of Learner is probably universal for all therapists to some degree – every new client we work with is a new lesson for us in humanity, and clinical curiosity is – in my opinion – the hallmark of a good therapist. The process of learning (about clients, about music, about ANYTHING) is so important, and I believe that parallels the clinical process.

For Connectedness, I’ve been told in the past that in a lot of my service (to AMTA and other organizations) I’ve been able to unite people with different perspectives in a way that results in outcomes that serve the greater good, so that seems to relate closely with a lot of the descriptors for Connectedness. The Achiever strength is something I sort of struggle with; it sounds so … so DRIVEN. I think I *am* driven in a lot of ways, but with my focus on the PROCESS and not the product. I will admit that I wish I was a bit more comfortable with just sitting around and chilling sometimes, but … there you have it.

As far as the Strategic strength, I’ve never really thought of myself in that way so I was surprised at that one! However, I *do* believe strongly in the importance of identifying patterns – in music, in behavior, in communication – and using that to help inform practice and process, whether it’s clinical process, training and supervision, relationships, systems – whatever is in front of me! Finally, I believe the strength of Relator serves me well as a therapist. While the StrengthsFinder emphasizes the importance of deep friendships in this theme (and my friendships are like oxygen for me), I hope that this strength also manifests in my work with everyone on the team at RMTS and, through them, to everyone they serve in their work. I strive to bring all of these strengths to my work at RMTS!

What drew you to music therapy?

I always knew I wanted to do something with music. When I was 16, my piano teacher interrupted me during a lesson and asked me if I was going to college and what I would study. After eliminating ALL music options (i.e., teaching, conducting, composition, etc.), he asked me what else I would study. I said ‘psychology’ and he bellowed out “Music therapy!” I didn’t know what music therapy was (there was no such thing as the internet or googling something), but I knew it was what I was meant to do. I still know that.

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

This is an interesting question for me at this point in my career. After 41 years as a full-time clinician who also did supervision and training, I’m now a full-time supervisor and trainer who also does some clinical work – but not enough. I have always thrived on working with students and young therapists, learning as much from them as I hope they learn from me. My work at RMTS is providing me with the opportunity to work with compassionate clinicians and soon with interns as well. I find every meeting – whether it’s individual supervision, small group supervision, M3, remote observations, and the occasional but sweet in-person times at conferences or when I travel to Wakefield – to be exciting! I love the exchange of ideas and hearing different perspectives on how to arrive at the same destination.

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

Is this a trick question? (laughs) It depends: on the client and the moment. Honestly, I can’t answer this! And I don’t always use songs – the music is often improvised. Some clients have distinct themes, or styles, and others work with different idioms all the time.

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

I had no idea where things were going to go when I first joined this team. But I knew I liked it. This career path was a huge surprise, honestly! And this job has pushed me toward wanting to be in human services and being mission-driven.

What is your proudest moment within your music therapy journey so far?

There are MANY! Rather than share specific or stories, I think I can distill it all down to those moments when a client succeeds in achieving something for the first time, *recognizes* their own achievement, and celebrates themselves! It’s such a gift to be able to share those moments.

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

I mostly read for information (think MT journals, books, etc.) but when I have time for escape-reading I enjoy biographies (I guess that’s still information) and historical novels. Also anything by George Bernard Shaw. With TV, it’s similar – I’m a news junkie, but I’ve been known to binge watch “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog.” Movies – too many to mention!

What do you do outside of work?

What’s that? (laughs) Seriously, I love to walk, visit with family and friends, go out to hear live music (especially jazz and Latin), try new restaurants, and do absolutely nothing at all on any sand near salt water (I’m surrounded by lakes – no salt in evidence).

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Apparently, I am Little Miss Busy. Big surprise.

What’s your coffee order?

Nothing fancy – hazelnut cream and some sweetener – but it’s GOT to be HOT!!!

What would be the title of your memoir?

Together, in Music, We Can.

Three words to describe your job?

Stimulating. Surprising. Satisfying.

Advice for current music therapy students and/or future interns?

I attended an exhibit on creativity in NYC in 1980. It had a huge impact on me at a time when I was just beginning my professional practice of music therapy. It was through this exhibit that I first became familiar with the brilliant American artist, Romare Bearden. His collage work has been compared to jazz improvisation, and his comments on art and music were powerful to me. Phrases such as, “You sing on the canvas. You improvise – you find the rhythm and catch it good, and structure as you go along – then the song is you.” and “Well, it is like jazz; you do this and then you improvise.”

Another Bearden quote is one that I often share with students and interns: “The artist has to be something like a whale swimming with his mouth wide open, absorbing everything until he has what he really needs.” I believe, as musician therapists, we need to do this. In our listening, in our reading, in our engagement with colleagues, and especially in our work with clients – take it all in!

RMTS Team Busy with Conferences and Presenting in the Spring of 2023!

Posted on by Julie Palmieri

The Roman Music Therapy Services Team had a very busy conference season this spring!

Our team attended conferences in Massachusetts, Indiana, Connecticut, and Vermont. There were presentations and exhibit booths and keynotes, and a ton of MUSIC shared with hundreds of conference attendees.

We are so grateful for these opportunities to speak about music therapy and how it transforms so many lives.

Meet the Clinician: Sean FitzGerald, MT-BC

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Next, we have Sean FitzGerald, MT-BC.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I’m a Staff Music Therapist and I’ve been in this position since last July.

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I went to Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and I was a jazz voice primary.

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into the therapist you are today?

So I had an awkward college journey (laughs). I started as a microbiology major then switched to music therapy and transferred schools. That was a tough transition because it felt like I was leaving family behind. So learning how to be resilient and adapt to my new school, new city, and everything that comes with moving really came into play once I got to Temple. My time there was spent really learning how to adapt and mold myself to different situations and make my environment work for me. That resiliency definitely finds itself coming into my clinical work. 

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

My strengths are Developer, Empathy, Restorative, Positivity, Individualistic, and Includer. And they all obviously play into my work – I’m a huge empath. I always just want to make everybody feel good, make sure everybody’s chilling. And doing that in the context of a session is so impactful, it sets the tone for everyone to be their best selves! Then incorporating that element of Inclusion seals the deal. The Developer strength fits me super well because I have a very analytical mind – I like to break things down and I’ve learned that I can think really quickly because of this strength.  Then in sessions, I’m able to implement that ability to process events quickly by constantly revising what I’m presenting.

What drew you to music therapy?

I was talking with a friend from home who was going to the University of Miami for music therapy and I didn’t know what music therapy was at that point. She explained how it was like an intersection between music and psychology and I remember thinking, “That’s amazing”. It also came at a great time because I was at a crossroad with microbiology, I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. I did some more research on music therapy and decided to transfer the next semester.

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

Being able to be a consistent person is people’s lives is the most rewarding part for me. There are a lot of people that are burned out in the various systems they’re in, so being able to come in and provide some positivity, even if it’s bi-weekly or monthly, is really nice. 

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

I play a lot of “Blue Suede Shoes” because I’ve turned it into a shaker song (laughs). That one is a lot of fun. I also love playing “You Are My Sunshine” especially in sessions with older adults, because that’s a song everyone knows, no matter what. Everybody sings it and it’s just so lovely to see everyone light up because they’re like, “I know this song!”

Do you have a proud moment within your music therapy journey so far?

I was working with a client who engaged in self-injurious behaviors and their goal was to decrease this behavior for a certain amount of sessions in a row – and we got through four or five sessions in a row without the behavior! 

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

I listen to a lot of NBA podcasts and I’m currently reading Game of Thrones (inspired by Billie!) I was binge-watching Jeopardy at once point – it’s really fun to watch trivia shows and see which ones you can get right! I also play a lot of video games – I’m currently playing Apex Legends, which is always a good time.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?

“Difficult is not impossible.” It’s from a Relient K song, if you know who they are!

What do you do outside of work?

I go out to trivia with my cousins pretty often! Other than that, I go on hikes, play Ultimate Frisbee, and hang out with my cat, Simon.

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Mr. Happy! 

What’s your coffee order?

Just a regular coffee with cream and sugar. 

What would be the title of your memoir?

oof. (laughs)

Three words to describe your job?

Fun, Challenging, Engaging.

The RMTS Leadership Team Meets the new MA Governor!

Posted on by Julie Palmieri

The Roman Music Therapy Services Leadership Team attended Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ 2023 Executive Forum, featuring the new Massachusetts’ Governor, Maura Healey. We’re so grateful to have the opportunity to network and gain more insight into the growth of Massachusetts businesses!

Meet the Clinician: AJ Gaudreau, MT-BC

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Next, we have AJ Gaudreau, MT-BC.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I’m a Staff Music Therapist and I’ve been in this position since September of 2021. I was also an intern with RMTS from January to August of 2020, and after internship, I joined the team as a Fee For Service Music Therapist for several months.

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I went to Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. I was involved with the Mid-Atlantic Students Organization during my college years. My performance area was classical voice!

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into the therapist you are today?

One of the biggest takeaways I got from my time at Elizabethtown was being an observer. Really focusing on how the music is influencing the client, whether it was emotionally, verbally, behaviorally, etc. It gave a lot of perspective on the different philosophies within music therapy – it helped me to find the perspectives I do identify with as a clinician.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

My strengths are Developer, WOO (Winning Over Others), Empathy, Includer, and Communication. I definitely see Developer in my number one spot  – as therapists we are working on identifying our clients’ strengths and needs and utilize their strengths in a way that is going to address their needs through music. The Developer strength is one I really resonate with, especially when thinking about developing and addressing clients’ strengths. My other strengths really reflect the significance of my relationships with other people as well. I identify very strongly with having those emotional and relationship-building skills in order to promote the strong bonds with everyone I interact with.

What drew you to music therapy?

I had discovered music therapy my sophomore year of high school in a career exploration and it led me down a research rabbit hole. I remember thinking, Oh? This is a thing? I knew I always wanted to go into human service, I was also considering social work at one point, so learning that I could combine music and my love of service work, I was like, Sign me up!

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

I love that I can share my work with others. The very human experiences that I’m able to bear witness to through music is … I don’t like using the word “magical”, but it does feel magical!

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

Hound Dog, Rock Around the Clock, anything with a blues pattern! I love to vocal improv with my clients to Blues songs. I also love My Wild Irish Rose, Edelweiss, waltzy feel songs. And anything by The Beatles!

Do you have any professional development stories you’d like to share?

Taking more of a leadership role within the company’s program development. But also working in the educational settings has been a huge area of professional development – with programmatic classroom services, IEP work, conducting a SEMTAP (Special Education Music Therapy Assessment Process). Also for me, this is the first real job and so the fact that I’m here and doing this work is something I’m really proud of.

Any personal growth stories?

I’ve definitely grown in professional – and general self-acceptance. Knowing my limitations while also being able to channel them in a way that is productive and beneficial for myself. There’s been a lot of positive change because of this self-acceptance over the past year.

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

I think that I can always go bigger! (laughs) Every time I think, this is  a lot, I don’t think I can top this, I always do! I have much more capacity than I give myself credit for.

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

I am obsessed with Lord of the Rings. Anything by Tolkien is an instant win for me. I love anything that’s fantasy related… Princess Bride is also a favorite. I also listen to a lot of podcasts about organization and world history.

What do you do outside of work?

I like to hike, play board games (Dungeons and Dragons), and I’m involved in community theatre. And I love to spend time with others!

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

  Little Miss Sparkle!

What’s your coffee order?

An iced latte with hazelnut and mocha.

What would be the title of your memoir?

I’ll Figure It Out. (laughs) Because I can never commit to one thing, I’ll just figure it out eventually.

Three words to describe your job?

Collaborative. Forward. Compassionate.

Meet the Administrative Team: Jennifer Ray

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Today, we have Jennifer Ray.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I am the Senior Support Specialist and I’ve been with RMTS for seven years.

What university or college did you go to?

I went to UMass Amherst and I got my BA in English!

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into who you are today?

The process of having to closely read things, interpret them, then critically discuss them has helped me develop a muscle for dialogue with people. My degree has certainly helped me to frame other people’s interpretations of things and has provided me with a basis of how to have healthy debate with people who have different opinions than my own. I also took some technical writing courses, so I have a lot of skills that people may take for granted, like writing a cover letter or resume, constructing a business memo, things like that.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

Empathy, Individualization, Input, Intellection, and Learner.

It’s not really denoted by my title, but I do a lot of the HR (Human Resources) things here. I’ve been to a lot of HR conferences where people talk about how they’re kind of the “necessary villain” in every organization. But I’m always like, What about the good stuff? You get to pay people every week, you’re the facilitator of benefits, all the good, nitty gritty parts about being an employee. Empathy definitely comes into play when you are in the Human Resources sector of a company. I can imagine and put myself in other people’s shoes when working with their specific situation. Also, I have Learner as a top strength, which has really helped me do this work because HR is not something I had experience with prior to this job. Being the person who really enjoys finding new information and collecting knowledge has definitely been helpful.

What drew you to RMTS?

I was working in full-time in Boston as an intake manager for a large psychology firm when I got pregnant with my second child and decided I would take time off after he was born. I left my position with the psychology firm and had extra time to spend with my daughter, who was only two at the time. I started taking Sprouting Melodies classes with her here in the Wakefield office and loved it! I was also on the RMTS newsletter at the time and they announced that the front desk coordinator at the time was leaving. My friend, who also took Sprouting Melodies with myself and my daughter, was like, “Did you see the job posting, it’s part-time!”. I applied, interviewed with Meredith and the office manager at the time, and the rest was history!

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

I really enjoy the times that I get to connect with the team and help them through some of the “grown up stuff” they’re doing for the first time, such as signing up for a retirement plan, navigating health insurance, and being on team interviews. Helping newer professionals develop these skills that they will need as they grow and mentoring them on their leadership journeys is really rewarding.

Do you have any professional development stories you’d like to share?

Taking on this role has been a huge professional development for me! This is the first time I’ve taken a position that hasn’t really existed before, so building a framework for what this job looks like was a huge undertaking. It’s been a lot of overcoming my imposter syndrome and saying to myself, “I can figure this out. And not only can I figure this out, I can actually do it and do it successfully!”

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

Branching out, for sure. I don’t think I ever intended to do what I’m doing right now, so just being open to all the shifting and changing and opportunities as they become available has been a surprise. Also, it’s been surprising to realize that I really like this part of the business and I like all the responsibilities that fall under human resources.

What are your roles and responsibilities as Senior Support Staff?

What do I do? That’s a good question (laughs). Well, I write job descriptions as we hire new positions and I take those descriptions and make them into job postings and put them out into the world! I then watch those postings, field any resumes or applications we may get, then screen the applicants. I also do the initial job interviews over the phone, set up group interviews, and I am a part of said group interviews. Once applicants join our team, I am their first point of contact for onboarding. I schedule our 360 Reviews, write performance appraisals, enroll employees in benefits (such as health insurance). I also process payroll every week, log our team’s hours, and lots of trainings. I think there’s more, but that’s also a lot (laughs).

What is your proudest moment within the company so far?

I have a weird proudest moment (laughs). It wasn’t anything that I actively did for RMTS, but weathering the storm that was the beginning of the pandemic without completely losing my sanity. I was working while also teaching elementary school things to my second grader while also occupying my preschooler busy! But also coming out of that period of time with a renewed sense of purpose and acknowledging where and how I want to use my energy.

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

Okay, let’s start off with podcasts! I love Serial and Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids. I listen to the Greek mythology podcast with my kids on long car trips. I loved X-Files back in the day and I’m also currently watching White Lotus on HBO. I love Disney movies, I watch them with the kids, too. I’ve got too many favorites to count!

What do you do outside of work?

I just joined an adult field hockey team! I used to play in high school and I haven’t played since, so I’m excited to start it up again. I also read and write and I’m going for my Master’s degree in teaching!

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Little Miss Busy!

 

What’s your coffee order?

Well, in the fall it’s a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks. When there’s no pumpkin spice to be had, it’s sometimes an iced London Fog tea or an iced coffee with a splash of cream.

What would be the title of your memoir?

I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Have It Figured Out.

Three words to describe your job?

Essential, Interesting, Uplifting.

RMTS attends the Northeast Human Resources Association Conference

Posted on by Julie Palmieri

Roman Music Therapy Services attended the 2022 Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Conference in Newport, RI in October 2022. Executive Director Meredith Pizzi and Senior Support Specialist Jennifer Ray met many of the conference attendees at the Exhibit Hall, and spoke with many about Staff Beats, a music-based program that helps teams become stronger, build resiliency, and create spaces for communication and connections.

Meredith also presented a session entitled Culture is Collaborative – Creating a Company Culture That Reflects Your Values and Inspires Your Employees. She spoke about retaining top talent and recruiting new works even as companies navigate hybrid team and shifting employee priorities. She spoke in-depth about creating a company culture that not only reflects the mission and vision of a company but one that also inspires employees.

Senior Support Specialist Jennifer Ray (left) and Executive Director Meredith Pizzi (right) attend the 2022 NEHRA Conference in Newport, RI in October 2022.

RMTS Receives the Peer Provider Award from Provider’s Council

Posted on by Julie Palmieri

Roman Music Therapy Services was extremely honored to receive the Peer Provider Award at the annual Provider’s Council Conference. Several RMTS team members attended and accepted the award on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

We were nominated for the award by our community partner, Bridgewell. Bridgewell’s CEO Chris Tuttle had incredibly kind words to say:

“Roman Music Therapy Services has been a true partner for Bridgewell. They have a remarkable way of getting our individuals engaged. They’ve opened up avenues of expression for our individuals and helped them connect with their peers and their staff….I’m very grateful for our relationship with Roman Music Therapy.”

We are honored.

Congratulations to all of the additional award recipients! It was an honor to share the stage with you.

And a special thank you goes out to The Provider’s Council, Bridgewell, Chris Tuttle, and award ceremony emcee, Vanessa Welch!

Peer Provider Award Winners, including RMTS Executive Director Meredith Pizzi stand together on a stage with their awards.
Peer Provider Award Winners, including RMTS Executive Director Meredith Pizzi stand together on a stage with their awards.

Meet the Clinician: Billie Junget, MT-BC

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Next, we have Billie Junget, MT-BC.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I’m a Staff Music Therapist and the Programmatic Services Trainer. I started my time with RMTS during internship and I’ve been with the team for about three years.

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I went to Charleston Southern University in South Carolina as a euphonium and percussion primary.

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into the therapist you are today?

The clinical work I experienced and then the application of that clinical work in my music therapy coursework has definitely contributed to my therapeutic skills now. I was also big into marching band and drumline, so being a part of those ensembles really encouraged my flexibility and adaptability within group settings.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

Empathy, Intellection, Adaptability, Positivity, and Developer. Empathy plays a huge role in the work I do, and also in the greater scheme of my life. I always try to meet people where they are and put myself in other’s shoes. I also find that these strengths play into my listening skills – I like being able to hold space for others in my professional work and in my personal life.

What drew you to music therapy?

I knew I wanted to go into music, but I didn’t want to teach and I didn’t want to perform. But then I learned about music therapy and the way the field uses music to reach goals and make non-musical connections, and that’s what really stuck out to me. Just knowing I can facilitate music and work with it in a way that other professions don’t get to do. Music therapy helps us find our voice and access music in a different way – it’s not just music for personal use, but for everyone.

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

The beautiful connections we have with the people we serve. There aren’t a lot of other professions that get to experience music in the way we do and it’s so profound! It’s funny because I see some of my clients more than I see my friends and family (laughs) but that speaks to the impact of the work we do. The smiles on our community’s faces when they enter the musical space – that’s the most rewarding part.

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

I love playing anything by The Beatles. I also love Rockin’ Robin and Dancing Kids (a favorite song here at RMTS)!

Do you have any professional development stories you’d like to share?

Professional development is such a big part of our team culture that I can’t pick just one story! I think that an area of my professional development that is cool to share is my journey of stepping into the Interim Internship Director role. Going from being an intern with this company to being able to support a current intern was so unexpected, but again – that speaks to my Adaptability strength! Also, now that I am a trainer on the team, it’s been amazing to help facilitate others’ growth within our team.

Any personal growth stories?

In my recent switch to being a full-time clinician, I’ve had to create new organizational systems that work for me and the roles that I’m in. I’ve definitely grown in my ability to find ways to maximize my workflow and organize my time.

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

This is a hard one! I think I’ve surprised myself by just – throwing myself into things. For example, I was never a singer, but now I sing all day, every day! Also wanting to do new things and strengthening areas of growth within myself has also been very surprising.

What is your proudest moment within the company so far?

I’m really proud of the Weekly Wins board I started! It’s a space for the team to celebrate our wins and ourselves. I’m also proud of the presentations I’ve been able to share with the team, which fits into my Intellection strength! Being able to share my knowledge and teach others something new is something I’m definitely proud of.

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

I’m a big “Game of Thrones” fan. I watched the show first and got hooked, then I read the books (and are re-reading them!). Watching the show first definitely helped me keep track of all the characters in the book. I’m also watching Legendary, it’s a vogue/ballroom dance show that’s so fun.

Favorite quote?

“If nothing ever moves, put that needle to the groove and sing.” – Dr. Dog, The Breeze

What do you do outside of work?

I just like being a Taurus (laughs). I like relaxing, hammocking in different parks, and long-boarding.

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Little Miss Can’t Parallel Park. It’s not a real Mr. Men/Little Miss character, but it’s the one I most identify as (laughs).

What’s your coffee order?

So I don’t really drink coffee/caffeine, but when I’m at Dunkin’, I love a good iced tea lemonade. Raspberry, specifically.

What would be the title of your memoir?

Shamrock and Roll. or… Rhythm and Blues.

Three words to describe your job?

Lead. Connect. Grow.

Meet the Clinician: Emily Hawley, MT-BC

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Hello and welcome to the first installment of Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! First off, we have Emily Hawley, MT-BC.

 

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I am one of the Lead Music Therapists and I’ve been with RMTS just under three years.

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I went to Anna Maria College and I was a vocalist.

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into the therapist you are today?

During my senior year, there was a lot of focus on self-care of the therapist, along with self-awareness. The self-awareness piece of being a therapist is huge for me. I had a really close-knit cohort, it was a super supportive environment. Plus, we had a lot of opportunities for networking.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

Restorative, Ideation, Input, Adaptability, and Empathy. I’m definitely a creative problem solver, which is where the Restorative strength comes in. With Input, I love learning more and taking in as much information as possible. And Empathy obviously comes into play with the work that I do, being a part of a team has empowered this strength, too.

What drew you to music therapy?

I went to an arts high school part-time and took my music classes there. My choir director’s sister is a music therapist and came in to talk to us about music therapy, which was the first time I heard about it. When it was time to think about what I wanted to do after high school, I was looking on the AMTA (American Music Therapy Association) website and found the definition of music therapy and also what a music therapist could look like. I felt like the description sounded like me! (laughs) I love people, psychology, and music, so it felt like a good fit.

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

Seeing clients’ growth throughout the process. Also seeing the skills that they do differently, or even better (!), when music is a part of their support system.

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

I love playing a mashup of “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles and “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens, that’s a fun one. I also love to improvise and finding new songs through the improvisation.

Do you have any professional development stories you’d like to share?

The biggest area I’ve grown professionally is definitely in my administrative skills! With learning to get organized, I’m truly understanding the full picture of what it means to be a music therapist, outside of clinic work. Also taking initiative, advocating for clients, getting my documentation in on time, communication, all of those administrative things.

Any personal growth stories?

A few years ago, a colleague said, “You would be great as a supervisor or lead music therapist!” and that was a role I didn’t think I would have the skills to do, but now, here I am in that role! I’ve grown a lot in my clinical skills and administrative skills. Also, being a part of this collaborative environment. There’s been a lot of growth!

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

Being a supervisor to practicum students. There’s always that initial fear of like, “Do I really have enough knowledge to offer these students?” but then, I realized that I did and it’s been great.

What is your proudest moment within the company so far?

Again, I am really proud of my organizational skills and self-discipline. I’m really proud of getting this promotion (as Lead Music Therapist), my full caseload, but always getting my notes in on time and fulfilling everything I need to do!

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

Criminal Minds, that’s been my show for a little bit. And reality dating shows (laughs). I don’t listen to podcasts a ton, but when I do, they’re spirituality-based.

Favorite quote?

“The world is big, I am small. My problems are small, so why am I worried?” That quote always helps to put things in perspective for me.

What do you do outside of work?

I like to eat! I also like to spend time with my family, especially my nieces. Going swimming, relaxing, all that good stuff.

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Mr. Happy T-Shirt   Mr. Happy!

What’s your coffee order?

A medium iced mocha, extra extra cream and sugar. I actually started drinking coffee when Dunkin’ had a pistachio/mocha flavor, but they don’t have it anymore (laughs). But that would be the preferred order.

What would be the title of your memoir?

Resilience.

Three words to describe your job?

Meaningful. Collaborative. Supportive.

I Have a Drum! Now What?

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Why Music?

A music therapist’s voice can be so important, especially when reaching out to populations that are not always able to respond and communicate by conventional means. Music has an impact on all areas of growth and development, making it a particularly valuable therapy in early interventionMeredith Pizzi, music therapist for various populations including early intervention work work. Bonding and attachment are just some of the areas that can be enhanced through moving together in music.

On May 9th, our founder, Meredith Pizzi, MPA, MT-BC and Laetitia Brundage, MT-BC, one of our music therapists, presented at the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium’s annual conference. Their presentation, entitled I Have a Drum and Maracas! Now What? provided guidance for music therapists working with children and families participating in early intervention work. Intended to offer colleagues some tried and true strategies and tools for behavior management, the training included large and small group experiences, song sharing and writing, as well as a prepared lecture.

Developmental Framework

Elizabeth Schwartz, LCAT, MT-BC, Meredith’s co-founder of Raising Harmony and Sprouting Melodies, created a developmental framework that breaks down skill development into five categories or areas: awareness, trust, independence, control and responsibility. Music therapists can stylize their sessions to target specific traits exhibited in these five categories. For example, if a music therapist is working on control with a group or individual, he or she may use a song that allows for instrument choice.

Learning ObjectivesLaetitia Brundage, music therapist for various populations including early intervention work

Key learning objectives established the goal of the session. The first objective involved participants being able to identify ways that music can be used to facilitate skill development in the areas of gross and fine motor skills, language, communication and social interaction.

The next objective was learning songs that targeted these specific developmental skills in addition to songs that do not require instruments or musical materials. Songs that were shared included:

  • Row It Faster by Elizabeth Schwartz, LCAT,MT-BC (skill development – Awareness)
  • Dancing Kids by Laetitia Brundage, MT-BC (skill development – Independence)
  • Train Ride, by Alison Albino (skill development – Trust)

At the end of the two hour presentation, participants left with the ability to list three ways to support and encourage positive behavior through music, create solutions to challenges with behavior and sing three new songs and suggest functional uses for the songs.

Music therapy can have a profoundly positive effect with early intervention populations. If you are a parent or early intervention provider looking to incorporate music therapy, please contact us!

 

Join Us at Our Open House April 8th

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Have You Seen Our New Space?

We are happily making music In Wakefield. Whether you followed our move from Melrose or have yet to see our new home, we are opening our doors on Saturday, April 8th to show off our new space! Pop in any time between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm on the 8th to tour our new reception area and studio. Our open house will also be a fantastic time to connectChamber Ribbon Cutting with old friends or learn more about all the wonderful services we offer here at Roman Music Therapy!

While our formal ribbon cutting, which happened with representatives from the Chamber, took place on January 30th, this will be an opportunity to welcome the community to our accessible, great new location!

We hope you’ll join us for light refreshments, conversation and of course – music – on April 8th!

There is ample parking behind our building and the lot is off of Yale street. We are located on the first floor, through the glass door and down the hallway. Keep an eye out for the balloons!

Hope to see you all at our Open House on April 8th!

A Message From Our Founder

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Founder’s Message

Meredith PizziI have always loved living in New England. I love seeing the snow coated trees glisten in the sun and the excitement the kids have when they hear those beloved New England words, “Snow Day.”  I also love the first warm mornings of springtime when you can go outside with a light jacket, or even the thrill of no jacket at all, after being bundled up for what seemed like an eternity! Then the warmth of the summer blankets us for a few months and I soak in all the Vitamin D I can! And then all of a sudden, the cool, crisp air of fall moves in and I take in the familiar smell of the autumn leaves. I really do love it all!

 

Reflecting On The Past 10 Years

Celebrating our 10th Anniversary this past year provided me with a similar opportunity to reflect back on the seasons of change in the journey of Roman Music Therapy Services. It really did start out with me and my car, driving from session to session. I began with services for two agencies when I moved to Massachusetts in 2006. Eventually I added Saturday morning sessions for individuals in my basement and an increasing number of clients and contracts.  Over time, the work load grew, and as I am not one to turn down a request for help, I began to expand our services by bringing on additional music therapists, first as contractors and then as employees.

Growing Roman Music Therapy Services to the organization that we are today has truly been one of the greatest joys of my life! The children and adults I have met and had the pleasure of working with, the music therapists I have trained and supervised, and the administrative support staff who have provided their skills and energies to our mission and vision have all played a part in the story of Roman Music Therapy Services. To everyone who has given me the opportunity over these past 10 years to be a better music therapist and a better person, I offer you my sincere thanks! I am honored and delighted to work with an incredible team of professionals, amazing families, service providers and clients to fulfill our mission every day!

10 year timeline

Making Music, Transforming Lives

As I walk into our new Music Therapy Center in Wakefield and I see our mission on the wall, I am filled with a sense of purpose and commitment each and every day! I know that music and my involvement in making music with others had a tremendous impact on my life’s course and my development as a person. I would not be who I am today if I hadn’t been the only girl trumpet player in school. I don’t remember the name of all of my childhood teachers, but I do remember the names of each and every music teacher I had, and I remember the hours I spent practicing to perfect my craft – to be the very best trumpet player I could be!  All State auditions and performances, playing in orchestras, jazz bands, marching bands and chamber ensembles gave me a voice, a community, a sense of belonging. Yes, I was that tall redhead in the back of the jazz band, dancing as I counted my rests or played my part, and taking my shoes off in rehearsals and performances to really feel the music!

With my parents’ support and encouragement, I followed my heart into a field that I knew had the capacity to change lives. I had no idea what it would look like, and believe me, neither did my parents! But that didn’t stop me from following my convictions and my call to making music part of everyone’s life.

Forging Connections Through Music

Today, our team of 12 employees at Roman Music Therapy Services is making this vision a reality each and every day. In our next 10 years, our dream is to expand opportunities for music making even further. We want ALL people to have the experience of community and belonging that comes with music making. It seems that too often, our daily lives pull us apart from the people around us. And even the way that we consume music with our headphones, we are missing the chance to come together as common people. At the end of the day, we are all humans – Human beings with beautiful and unique differences. And we are all humans who can share in the joy, fun, and community of music making.

I hope that you will continue to join us in this mission of bringing music to everyone!

If you are the new parent who feels isolated and stressed, or just feel like you have a lot to learn as a new parent, please come join us for a Sprouting Melodies class! For families with children with special needs, we are committed to providing community programming and specialized services to help build bridges and bring families together. We are here for you! For adults living and working in our communities who experience the challenges of physical or developmental disabilities, or struggles with pain, depression or isolation, we are here to open up new doors to communication, friendships, and learning, all through the joy of music making! And for our aging adults, we offer a way to communicate, reflect on the past, and participate with others in a way that brings meaning, joy and purpose to our daily lives.

As we expand our community offerings to bring people together to make music, we hope that you will look for and take advantage of our intergenerational music making events. We truly believe that by focusing on the goals of shared joy and experiencing community through music making, we can help transform lives and communities to be the very best that we can be!

 

 

To Wakefield And Beyond! Moving To A New Home

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

moving announcement

As many of you know, whether from Meredith’s announcement at our recent 10th Anniversary Celebration, or from attending a Spouting Melodies class last week, we’ve outgrown our space here on Main Street in Melrose and are moving to a larger space just next door in Wakefield, MA. With all of the support from the community and all of you these past 10 years, we are growing in leaps and bounds!  After a robust search, we’ve found a great new spot that can grow with us, so it is time to pack up our drums, maracas and tambourines! Continue reading “To Wakefield And Beyond! Moving To A New Home” →

Drumming With Heart: Celebrating our 10th anniversary!

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

As many of you know, we celebrated our 10th anniversary last Saturday at Melrose Memorial Hall. It truly was an event to honor not only the work we do in providing individual and group music therapy services, but also to express appreciation for the community connections we have made and partners we have gained along the way. Continuing our mission of uniting the generations, bringing music to everyone, and transforming lives through music making, the celebration offered an opportunity to bring our entire music-making community together in a party atmosphere.

Meredith Meredith singing with guitaropened the event with a few words of acknowledgement and thanks to clients, supporters, community partners and employees who have been part of the 10 year journey. She also sampled for the crowd one of the opening songs often used by the music therapists, Today Is A Beautiful Day, kicking off the event and setting an upbeat and inclusive tone for the day’s events. Later in the afternoon Meredith shared the news Roman Music Therapy Services’ growth and success have created the need to expand into a bigger space, and that our new home is right down the road in Wakefield, MA (Stay tuned or follow us on Facebook for up-to-the minute details).

Continue reading “Drumming With Heart: Celebrating our 10th anniversary!” →

Positive Post-It!

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

I’m Rubber You’re Glue…

positive post it

Remember the saying, “I’m rubber your glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you” ? You could hear it in the school yard, a way to turn around someone’s unkind words and brush off insults. What if positive words stuck as easily as negative?

This month we had a positive post it note party to celebrate our team and pass some sunshine around. Continue reading “Positive Post-It!” →

Providing the Beat at the Provider’s Council Expo

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Cultivating connections

Providers CouncilAs our organization has grown over the last 9 years, we have met wonderful people and had the opportunity to work with fabulous organizations along the way. This past year, through the LEND Fellowship, our professional network continued to grow. Through the process, we were introduced to The Provider’s Council. With member organizations throughout the state, The Provider’s Council is the largest association of community-based human service providers in Massachusetts. Continue reading “Providing the Beat at the Provider’s Council Expo” →

Winter Session II Open for Registration With NEW Enrollment System

Winter Session II Open for Registration With NEW Enrollment System

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Hello new and current Sprouting Melodies Families!

We are pleased to announce that our Winter Session II Sprouting Melodies classes are open for enrollment. This session begins February 16 and ends March 28. Our EARLY BIRD Special offers you $15 off the normal price.

We also offer a new class enrollment/registration system to not only accommodate enrollment but to serve as an online complement to the Sprouting Melodies class experience. A Family Dashboard contains resource pages and various other goodies that will inform, inspire, and guide you along as a caregiver making music with those you love.

The new platform is called “Mainstreetsites” and is a popular tool used for music, dance, and other extracurricular class offerings.

What’s different about it:

  1. New url – http://app.mainstreetsites.com/dmn2554/classes.htm
  2. New page about Sprouting Melodies – along with updated FAQS
  3. A simpler process of registering
  4. Password protected pages of information, called “Family Dashboard”
  5. Integration with Facebook
  6. You can schedule attendance to a makeup class
  7. Newcomers can schedule a “test drive” (demo) of a class

What you need to do:

For our current Sprouting Melodies families, we ask that you please create a new account. even though you may have already enrolled a child in one or more classes.

Thank you for your help transitioning!!!! We know it will be worth a bit of extra trouble. And do share your feedback about what can be better!!!! We are ALL ears.

Register
Here it is, the official button to our new enrollment system

Roman Music Therapy Services Facilitates Drum Circle for C-4 Analytics, one of the National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Drum Circles Are Becoming an Increasingly Popular Tool for Innovative Companies

Saugus, Mass., Dec. 17, 2014 – C-4 Analytics has had plenty of reasons to be upbeat lately, thanks to its impressive growth and recognition for employee appeal. On Wednesday, December 17, the digital marketing agency continued to drum up success, enlisting the help of Roman Music Therapy Services to organize a drum circle for its employees.

Drum circles are a modern application of an ancient practice. They are comprised of groups of people who drum and create rhythm together to achieve more than music. Group cohesion and synergy, as well as stress reduction and enhanced wellbeing for individual participants, are common objectives. These effects are achieved by the power of music and rhythm, as well as the democratic nature of drum circles. Each player is a vital part in the emergent sound and, as legendary drummer Mickey Hart puts it, “a new voice, a collective voice, emerges from the group as they drum together.”

Meredith Pizzi, executive director of Roman Music Therapy Services, along with colleagues Steven Clarke and Sarah Tree, board-certified music therapists, facilitated the drum circle for the employees of C-4 Analytics. This was the second such occasion held for the digital marketing agency headquartered in Saugus, Massachusetts.

Named by the National Association for Business Resources as a 2014 National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™, C-4 Analytics has clearly fostered a culture that employees are happy and productive in. It is no surprise, then, that C-4 Analytics uses drum circles as one way to empower individual contributors and teams.

Not yet a mainstream employee enrichment tactic, drum circles are beginning to gain traction for early adopters as a fun way to build community and enhance wellbeing and group impact. Offered in a variety of settings, this practice is gaining some popularity, more recently as a catalyst for businesses to harness the team and promote collaborative creativity.

About C-4 Analytics, LLC
Headquartered in Saugus, Mass., C-4 Analytics is a top-10 company on Deloitte’s 2014 Technology Fast 500, a fastest-growing private company on the Inc. 5000, a certified Google Partner and the first agency to bring accountability to online marketing with a thoughtful, measurable approach to services like search-engine marketing, paid-search management, online-reputation management, behavioral retargeting and social-media campaigns. C-4 Analytics delivers real, measurable results to its clients by using analytics to identify and track customer-acquisition channels — and the related costs — so that they can determine which marketing streams are most profitable. Find C-4 Analytics online at www.c-4analytics.com, on Google+ and on LinkedIn. They can also be reached by phone at 617-250-8888.

About Roman Music Therapy Services, LLC
Roman Music Therapy Services, LLC is a leading music therapy business in Massachusetts, offering individual and group music therapy as well as music programming for early childhood development and adult enrichment. Founded and led by entrepreneur, thought leader, board-certified music therapist, and LEND Fellow, Meredith Pizzi, Roman Music Therapy Services exists to expand the reach of music making to all spheres of society. “Using music to unlock closed doors, exposing potential, possibilities and opportunities,” Roman Music Therapy is bringing the power of music to a growing number of families, communities, and businesses. To learn more about Roman Music Therapy, visit https://romanmusictherapy.com, call 781-224-3300, or email help@romanmusictherapy.com.

Calling All Music Therapy Business Owners!

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

The not-to-be-missed MTBO Event of 2013!

Music Therapy Business Owners Mastermind Retreat

 

  • Are you passionate about music therapy?
  • Do you have a music therapy practice that excites you and inspires you every single day? Does it also sometimes frighten you?
  • Do you want to get a handle on your business so that it creates the perfect work-life “fit” for you?
  • Do you want to choose the direction of your business and see that it goes in the direction you choose, rather than having your dream of self-employment become nothing more than a day (and night!) job?
  • Do you want to use your degree and your training to create work that fits with your life and your personal purpose and mission?

You are in the Right Place!

Learn More and Register Today!

Our New CD!

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Gather Round Music CDGather Round: Music Time is Family Time

Hopefully you’ve already had a chance to hear some of the songs on our new CD! If not, buy your copy now!





This CD has been such fun to record, produce and share with you, our families. We are confident that you will enjoy listening to this music as much as we do. It’s been playing non-stop in our music therapy center in our homes. Our children, nieces and nephews have all had a chance to hear it and the responses we’ve heard so far have been wonderful!

Girls Listening Girls-Recording-small-300x225 Laura RecordingKristina RecordingMer Recording

My son, who is 2 and a half and attends Sprouting Melodies has been asking for “Laura’s songs” all the time! He asks for “More Bye Bye Music Time is Done” all of the time as that is his favorite song at the moment! He also loves listening to the songs he’s heard in class and is singing them along to the CD. I’ve also seen him run over to get a drum to march with the marching song! This is exactly what the CD was intended for! So we want to know, how is the recording being used in your home? What is your favorite song? Which song do your children keep asking for again and again? Let us know by contacting us!

And mark your calendars for February 3, 2013 when we will have our very first CD Release Party!

 

CD Release PartyCome to our CD Release Party!

The Prince has been gracious enough to let us use their space to celebrate the release of Gather Round! The best part is you can order anything off their full menu to enjoy a family lunch, great music, and our amazing Roman Music Therapy Service Community of great families!

There will be two shows – One at 11am for families with young children, and another one at 1 for families with children from 6-14 years of age of All Abilities!!! Everyone is welcome!


February 3, 2013 Gather Round Family CD Release Party
11:00am-12:30pm For families with children 0-5 years old
1:00pm-2:30pm For families with children 6-12
More Details to Come Soon!

BONUS!!
Bring a friend with you and be entered into our “Friend of a Friend Raffle”

Bring a new friend who has never been to one of our programs or events before and they will be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate good towards merchandise, classes or a birthday party!

If your friend wins….you do too!

Please spread the word.  This will be a great time for all.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Meredith

Meredith R. Pizzi featured in Boston Business Journal Article about Women-Owned Businesses

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Obstacles linger that keep many women-owned businesses from hitting the $1M mark
Boston Business Journal by Mary K. Pratt

Date: Friday, December 9, 2011

Meredith Roman Pizzi, MT-BC, owner and founder of Roman Music Therapy Services, was featured in a Boston Business Journal article this past week. Pizzi was interviewed about what it takes to be a woman business owner, and how women today are making strides to correct the discrepancy between males and females in the workplace. Winner of the Make Mine a Million Dollar Business competition, Pizzi is aiming to grow her business to gross $1 million dollars, but her main motivation is not the money. Her goal is to use music therapy to help as many people as possible and spread the word of the healing benefits of music. She says that one of the biggest roadblocks women face is their unwillingness to think big, and Count Me In and Make Mine a Million Dollar Business have helped countless women change that.

Million Dollar Business

Read more: Page-1-BBJ-article …Page-2-BBJ-article

 

RMTS Executive Director named winner of Make Mine a Million $ Business National Event

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Meredith Roman Pizzi, MT-BC, of Roman Music Therapy Services in Melrose received $1000 prize for winning business pitch in national competition.

m3-1000-AwardeeAppeared in the Melrose Patch and in the Melrose Free Press.

Melrose, Massachusetts October 6, 2011 – Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education, and community support for women entrepreneurs, has named Meredith Roman Pizzi of Malden as one of 44 Pitch Winners selected in the latest Make Mine a Million $ Business event, M3 1000, which was held Monday, September 26, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA.

M3 1000 is the largest business pitch competition for women in the United States. The Philadelphia event featured more than 300 women entrepreneurs from across the nation pitching their businesses, participating in business growth education sessions, and building business opportunities with each other.

Described as a cross between “The Apprentice” and “American Idol,” the M3 1000 pitch competition invites women business owners with at least $85,000 in annual business revenues that have been in business for two years or more to present their business in a two minute “elevator pitch” to a panel of small business experts and judges.

Pitch Winners came away with a $1000 American Express gift card, an introductory cycle of professional coaching from The Coach Connection (TCC), and a chance to participate in the next round of competition to win a coveted spot in the renowned Make Mine a Million $ Business program, along with a business development package that includes additional cycles of coaching, national PR, and financing assistance to help their businesses grow into million-dollar enterprises. A complete list of M3 1000 Philadelphia pitch winners can be found at http://makemineamillion.org/features/M3-1000-Philadelphia.

Meredith Roman Pizzi of Malden, MA is the local winner of the M3 1000 competition. After hearing Meredith’s two minute pitch, Nell Merlino, the founder of Count Me In, said, “You have a very important business and there are many people who need you!”

She has been a Board Certified Music Therapist for 7 years. A graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, Pizzi has always been passionate about music and chose to pursue music therapy to help others using music. Beginning originally with the trumpet in fifth grade, Meredith continued studying piano, guitar, and voice in her music therapy training. In addition to her musical background, Pizzi also has an affinity for business. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Roman Music Therapy Services, a music therapy agency providing music therapy services for young children, children and adults with disabilities, and the elderly.

Meredith also developed Sprouting Melodies, an early childhood program focused on development and growth through participation in music. Sprouting Melodies is looking to sprout up soon in other Boston communities. Meredith’s passion for music therapy and serving others has been the driving force behind the growth of Roman Music Therapy Services. She resides in Malden with her husband, Felix, and their three children.

Launched in 2005 by Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and founding partner American Express OPEN, the Make Mine a Million $ Business program was created to help post-start up, women-owned businesses grow to one million dollars in annual revenue. Since its inception, the program has hosted over 20 competitions in cities around the country with thousands of women entrepreneurs participating, and grown into a nationwide movement.

To date more than 28% of Make Mine a Million $ Business program participants have surpassed the $1 million mark in annual revenues versus the 2.6% national average for women business owners. A year-to-date investment of $12 million in the program has yielded $160 million in revenues for Make Mine a Million $ Business Awardees. The ultimate goal of the program is to elevate one million women businesses to over $1M in annual revenue generating $1 trillion in revenues and creating over 4 million jobs by 2020.

“We are thrilled by the eagerness of women across the country to grow their businesses, create jobs in their communities, and create stability for their families and the national economy,” said Nell Merlino, Founder and President of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence.”

About Count Me In and Roman Music Therapy Services

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education, and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses to million dollar enterprises. Count Me In launched the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition to inspire one million women entrepreneurs scale their businesses to a million dollars in business revenues in the next decade by providing tools, skills, and the support of a nation-wide community of peers.

Roman Music Therapy Services was founded in 2006 by Meredith Roman Pizzi, MT-BC as a private practice. Today with a team of four Board Certified music therapists, Roman Music Therapy Services is making huge strides and asserting itself as Massachusetts’ premier music therapy agency. In addition to their community work, Roman Music Therapy Services a childhood program, “Sprouting Melodies,” and individual and group clinical sessions at their center on Main Street in Melrose.

Our music therapists use the power of music to motivate and engage clients to meet their full potential. Roman Music Therapy Services plans to scale the business by increasing their services to daycares and preschool programs, special education programs and nursing homes and assisted living communities in the Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts area. There are also plans to expand Sprouting Melodies to other communities in the South Shore and Metrowest areas.

 

Repetition Reaps Rewards

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

Our Sprouting Melodies® Program has really grown over the years and has provided an enriching, playful, and supportive music class to many, many young children. We have seen the children:

  • Grow in language development as they sing greeting songs, body awareness songs, and books set to music.
  • Develop motor skills as they learn to shake maracas with a musical cue, march, run and jump to music and play the drum with one or two mallets.
  • Request and giggle with glee during lap rides, which give the babies, toddlers, and preschoolers the sensory stimulation they greatly need, especially during this time of year when playground time is limited.
  • Foster new friendships with each other, asking for their friends during the week and identifying them by name when they come in the room each week!

We want to tell you all about our Repetition Reaps Rewards Program. This program aims:

    1. To reinforce that repetition is the real secret to learning
    2. To thank all of the loyal families who continue to participate in Sprouting Melodies with their little ones

Ms. Pizzi plays the guitar as a young baby crawls on his belly and touches the guitar with his hand.

Here are the details…

  • For every full session that you register for, you will receive a stamp on your Repetition Reaps Rewards Card (Prorated Sessions will not count towards your 5 classes.).
  • After five full sessions, you will receive 50% Off your 6th class!
  • Repetition Reaps Rewards cards are for each individual child and stamps can not be combined within your family.
  • Stamps can be earned within any Sprouting Melodies class and can be redeemed throughout the year.

We are so excited to offer this opportunity to both thank you, the parents, and to support your children in their overall early childhood development!

Announcing New Birthday Party Packages!

Posted on by Roman Music Therapy

You’re Invited!

When?

Saturdays and Sundays
Weekdays at Schools and Daycares also available!

Where?

Our place or yours!

What happens at Roman Music Therapy Services?

1 hour of fun and interactive music making!
Pizza and cake downstairs at Papa Gino’s

Papa Gino'sRoman Music Therapy Services is announcing that we have teamed up with Papa Gino’s to offer a brand new option for Birthday Parties for children. Here’s a fun way to celebrate your child’s birthday in developmentally and age appropriate ways in which the kids and grown ups all have a blast!

Forget those crazy places that spin you around for an hour and a half and you come out feeling dizzy! Come on in to our comfortable music therapy center for a Music and Movement Birthday Party for children 1-5 or a Let’s Rock! Birthday Party for children 6-12. We’ll make music, play instruments, sing songs, and have a great time for your child’s birthday.

Then downstairs to Papa Gino’s for Pizza and Cake! Everything is included!!

I’m so excited about this! If you’re interested in having a birthday party with us, give us a call!

For More Information, check out:
Music Therapy Birthday Party Flyer
Music Therapy Birthday Party Agreement

Contact the office at 781-224-3300 or email us at info@romanmusictherapy.com


Little Kids – flash slideshow