Singing the praises of music therapy

Describe your business.

Dynamic Music Therapy serves those with disabilities in Las Vegas by providing individual and group music therapy services. Music experiences are client-tailored to improve speech and communication, social skills, behavior and emotional management, and/or motor skills.

Who are your customers?

Music therapy is available for people of all ages with disabilities, and organizations that serve these people. Dynamic Music Therapy serves those with (but not limited to): autism, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, neurological disorders, communication challenges, physical disabilities, behavioral disorders, Alzheimer’s and other aging-related conditions.

What makes your business unique?

Our therapists are able to address needs, such as social skills and developing a strong sense of self, that might not be fulfilled in other therapies. As music follows different neurological pathways than speech, it provides opportunities for people with neurological differences to learn or relearn skills that are necessary for success. The structure and form of music also make it a medium that people with communication challenges can understand.

What is your business philosophy?

The highest priority is that the needs of our clients are being met. The work that is completed in music therapy should always be able to be generalized to the rest of the client’s life. Simply having fun does not necessarily meet these qualifications. However, the fun that a client has often provides myriad benefits, such as greater self-esteem, the ability to recognize and shift emotional states, the motivation to exercise motor skills and the ability to communicate needs and desires.

What is the most important part of your job?

Balance. As a sole proprietor of a home-based business, there are so many things to learn and juggle. I am a business owner, music therapist, marketer, program director, billing manager, wife and new mom. I want to spend 100 percent of my time with my family and also 100 percent of my time caring for my clients, so it is essential that I find balance between gathering and expending energy.

What is the hardest part about doing business in Southern Nevada?

Lately, it seems that funding cuts happen constantly. This prevents many people and facilities from offering a service like music therapy. Another major struggle is that the public is unaware of music therapy. The challenge in marketing is not about setting the company above competition, but in educating the community of the existence and benefits of music therapy services.

What is the best part about doing business in Southern Nevada?

Despite funding challenges, people are eager to search for ways to help their loved ones. It is such a joy and a privilege to be able to see so many “supermoms” and “superdads” who put a great deal of their energy into helping their children with disabilities. To see so many siblings be powerful supporters is also incredibly heartwarming.