Original music from people diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities is virtually absent in the world of the arts. To begin filling this void, we now give you … Keys To The Studio, a music program designed specifically for this group of emerging musicians.

Keys To The Studio was formed to:

• provide access to music creation to an underserved community
• appreciate talent separately from disability
• facilitate the musical expression of the emerging musicians by matching each with a professional to develop skills in singing, musical instruments, improvisation and composition
• integrate the emerging musicians and their music with the public
• raise awareness throughout society, including at the family and caregiver levels, of the capabilities and contributions of persons diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Keys To The Studio gives emerging musicians the opportunity to collaborate with professional musicians in one-to-one sessions, rehearsals with bands made up of peers, workshops, recordings, public jam sessions and concert performances.

• exploration of each emerging musician’s interests, talent and abilities
• encouragement of play and improvisation without judgment
• support for skill development at a pace tailored to the emerging musician
• emphasis on the importance of unique personal expression, creativity and artistic voice

Key Music Director John Jowett (30 year career as a performing, conducting, composing and recording musician with the last 7 years teaching music to students diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities) and Key Special Needs Professional Salina Eldon (25 years experience in the treatment, assessment and education of people with special needs, including 9 years of program supervision/management) will support emerging and professional musicians throughout the project.

The Keys To The Studio pilot project runs this fall (September 24 to December 14, 2007) and in the spring (January 15 to April 11, 2008) at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre in Parkdale, Toronto.

To participate in Keys To The Studio as an emerging musician, professional musician, volunteer or donor, or for more information, please contact us.

www.keystothestudio.com
info@keystothestudio.com

(416) 532-8480
1481 Queen Street West No. 26, Toronto ON M6R 1A1

The Ontario Arts Council is an agency of the Government of Ontario