The Aphasia Clefs
Hands in Harmony's Aphasia Clefs is our first performance-based therapeutic choir. The Aphasia Clefs is a Neurologic Music Therapy group facilitated by one of our licensed, board-certified Neurologic Music Therapists.
The choir is designed specifically for individuals who have Aphasia, a speech disorder that results from damage of brain as a result of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other cause. Group members engage in Neurologic Music Therapy interventions to accomplish non-music health outcomes, including enhancing breathing, speech, eliciting memories, while increasing social engagement and establishing community support. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Aphasia Clefs began meeting virtually two times per week to increase socialization, decrease anxiety, stress and isolation. Group members report that the sessions are the highlight of the week!
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Hands in Harmony provides the group as a complimentary service, with donations from the community and community partners. Group members are able to access the group at no cost.
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The Aphasia Clefs have increased awareness and educated the community since their debut in 2019. They have performed their original songs and familiar songs to a wide variety of audiences, which included the following venues and performances:
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Kent Hospital-Stroke Unit "Holiday Concert"
Just ASK Aphasia
McCoy Stadium-"National Anthem"
Rhode Island State Arts and Health Plan at the Graduate Providence (formally Providence Biltmore)
Trinity Rep
Weaver Library
University of Rhode Island
Independence Square Foundation-Holiday Concert
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If you or someone you know are interested in joining, learning more about the group, or booking a performance with the Aphasia Clefs, contact us today!
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This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
