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Cue The Magic: Sing a New Song

Cue The Magic: Sing a New Song

By: Angie Kopshy
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Parents, are you struggling to communicate effectively with your child? Is lowering your toddler’s anxiety proving to be difficult? Are transitions taking over your household? When it comes to raising kids, these developmental milestones can be difficult to journey through alone. This is where the transformative power of music comes in! Join your host Angie Kopshy, music therapy expert, to discover how music therapy can break barriers, spark connections, and change lives. Join us every Monday on Cue The Magic: Sing a New Song Podcast to dive into music therapy techniques with expert music therapists worldwide for motivation and focus, emotional regulation, social connection, cognitive stimulation, and physical rehab. Tune in and cue the magic! Perfect for: Parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and music lovers.


For more information on The Global Music Therapy Project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, please go to our website at: www.globalmusictherapyproject.com

All rights reserved. Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Interview with Erman Turkili

    Interview with Erman Turkili
    May 26 2025

    In this interview, Dr. Erman Turkili, a violin professor from Turkey, shares his journey from studying violin performance in the U.S. to developing innovative music education methods tailored for early childhood and special education, especially for children with autism and other neurodivergent needs. He discusses his groundbreaking book, *First Steps of a Little Artist*, which teaches young children and those with developmental disabilities to play instruments like the piano and violin without traditional notes, using shapes, colors, and symbols instead.

    Erman explains how his method originated from personal teaching experiences with very young children and autistic kids. He emphasizes creating a positive, confidence-building learning environment. His approach is being adopted worldwide, including in academic research and pilot programs, and it has demonstrated remarkable success, such as autistic children playing the piano.

    Additionally, Erman talks about his ongoing plans to expand accessibility, including series of these books on different instruments and the possibility of a mobile app. He also shares personal insights about teaching his own young son with his methods, highlighting the independence and confidence his approach fosters. Erman invites interested individuals to connect through his website for more information and to share their experiences. The interview underscores the importance of innovative, individualized teaching strategies in music education for diverse learners.

    Erman's website: https://www.ermanturkili.com

    Erman explaining First Steps of a Little Artist on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MC7PRun8BOU?si=U2hQI3G-atBL1pw9

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erman_turkili

    Try This Tip: I Love to Brush My Teeth

    Want your kiddo to brush their teeth without fights, tears, or meltdowns? This week’s Try This Tip is a fun, step-by-step song that makes brushing easy and even enjoyable!

    I wrote this song 16 years ago. It's dentist-approved and includes playful, dramatic starts to grab attention. Sing along to all the steps, and watch as your child builds a positive routine with giggles and smiles.

    At the end of the episode, you'll hear a version in Spanish! Check it out and see how just a little singing can turn teeth brushing into a joyful activity.

    #ParentTips #ParentingHacks #KidsActivities #TeethBrushing #musictherapy #Neurodiversity #AutismSupport #ChildDevelopment #ParentTips #TherapyTools #MindfulParenting #SensoryProcessing #EmotionalRegulation #TransitionsWithMusic #SelfCareForParents #CreativeParenting #MusicInMind #ParentSupport #HealingThroughMusic #TherapistsUnite #EmpowerParents #MusicMagic #cuethemagicpodcast #estherthane #etmusictherapy #globalmusictherapyproject #podcast #adaptedpiano
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    46 mins
  • Interview with Esther Thane

    Interview with Esther Thane
    May 14 2025

    Esther Thane has specialized since 1996 in neurodivergent individuals & diverse needs. After over a decade on faculty at Capilano University, Esther continues to present, publish, and consult. In 2014, she completed Dr. Diane Austin's (Music Psychotherapy Center, NY) training program in Advanced Vocal Psychotherapy. Esther’s publication in the book: Voicework in Music Therapy, focuses on her innovative method of Vocal-Led Relaxation for Children with Autism. Esther created Meet In The Music© (MITM) music therapy curriculum, which is utilized by music therapists globally. She has received numerous awards including: 1. “Iconic Women Creating a Better World For All Award”, presented by the Women Economic Forum in New Delhi, India (2017), 2. “Peer Recognition Award for innovation and Advocacy”, presented by the Canadian Association For Music Therapy (2021), 3. Luminous Alumni Award of Excellence, presented by Capilano University (2024). Esther is also VP of UnitusTI- Mental Health and Diverse Needs Cloud.

    Connect with Esther Thane:

    🌐 Website: https://www.etmusictherapy.com

    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etmusictherapy

    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etmusictherapy/

    ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@etmusictherapy

    Rooted in Music Relaxation Recordings: https://www.etmusictherapy.com/rooted-in-music/rooted-in-music

    Key Takeaways from My Conversation with Esther Thane, Music Therapist Extraordinaire

    Journey into Music Therapy: Esther shares how she followed her intuition into the field, drawn by her lifelong love of music and a transformative experience working in Germany.

    About ET Music Therapy: Based in Vancouver, Esther’s practice has been supporting neurodiverse clients of all ages for nearly 30 years, with a focus on creating fun, engaging, and mission-driven sessions.

    Team & Community: She built a supportive community of therapists to prevent burnout and foster collaboration, making the field stronger.

    Why Music Works for Neurodiverse Kids: Music is a universal, non-threatening language that captivates children, especially those with autism. It promotes motivation, success, and deep engagement.

    Using Music at Home: Tools like personalized playlists, exploring instruments, and recording relaxation tracks empower caregivers to support their kids daily.

    Transitions & Daily Life: Esther suggests singing preferred songs for smooth transitions and using music as a flexible tool to ease change and overstimulation.

    Empathy & Sensory Experience: She highlights how overstimulation affects everyone and emphasizes understanding sensory sensitivities, sharing insights inspired by Glenn Gould’s listening exercises.

    Core Philosophy: Children thrive when activities are motivating and successful—music naturally fosters curiosity and deeper learning.

    The Joy of the Unknown: Every session is unpredictable and rewarding; her favorite part of being a music therapist.

    Collaboration: She emphasizes working with speech therapists, OTs, and other professionals, blending goals into fun, effective activities.

    Resources for Families & Practitioners: Check out her website and downloadable relaxation tracks designed for home, school, and self-care.

    Final Word: “Meet your child in the music.” It’s all about connection, presence, and the magic that happens when we sing together.
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    1 hr
  • Interview with Julie Guy and Angela Neve Meier

    Interview with Julie Guy and Angela Neve Meier
    Apr 27 2025
    Cue the Magic: Sing a New Song Podcast: Interview with Julie Guy and Angela Neve Meier from The Music Therapy Center of California, Inc.This week, Angie Kopshy sits down with music therapists Angela Neve Meier and Julie Guy to explore the magic of music therapy! They dive into how music can spark emotional regulation, teach life skills through social song stories, and bring more joy into daily routines. You’ll hear about their personal journeys, how parents can create music-rich environments at home, and why making life a musical experience builds stronger, happier connections with kids.Connect with Julie & AngelaThe Music Therapy Center of California, Inc. WebsiteFacebookInstagramYouTubeTune in and discover how small musical moments can lead to big breakthroughs!Music therapy combines the strengths of helping people and music.Music can act as a detour switch in the brain for accessing information.Social song stories help children learn and apply important life skills. Adding music to social stories can be even more powerful.Collaboration with other therapists enhances the effectiveness of music therapy. Parents can play a strong role by making sure all team members are connected and able to communicate with one another, by inviting all team members to IEP meetings, and by requesting music therapy at school. Collaboration between music therapists and educators enhances learning experiences. Advocating for music therapy requires demonstrating its necessity for a child's progress.Music can help with emotional regulation and calming techniques. There are many great songs created by music therapists with these specific goals in mind.Creating songs in music therapy can make learning fun and engaging for children - music is like glue.Parents can incorporate music into their daily lives to support their children's development.Understanding the mechanisms of music can empower parents to use it effectively.Making life a musical experience encourages play and creativity in children.Parents can enhance their child's learning by incorporating music into daily routines.Making up silly songs can engage children and make tasks more enjoyable.Music therapy sessions have hidden objectives that benefit children.Creating a musically rich environment can calm children and aid transitions. Using live music or recorded music can help children with transitions and routines.Music therapy can be really beneficial for children who learn better through auditory modalities.Small successes in music therapy can lead to significant changes over time.Julie Guy is a visionary leader, dedicated advocate, and board-certified music therapist committed to making music therapy accessible, impactful, and transformative. As the co-founder and executive director of The Music Therapy Center of California (MTCCA), Julie has spent over two decades helping individuals thrive by unlocking communication, functionality, and quality of life through music. She envisions a world where everyone, regardless of ability, can flourish as a valued member of the community—a vision that drives her work every day.Julie’s leadership has positioned MTCCA as a leading provider of exceptional music therapy services. Under her direction, the organization has grown to serve diverse populations, from children with developmental disabilities to seniors with dementia. She is also passionate about mentoring future music therapists and advancing the profession, ensuring that those entering the field have access to the tools, training, and opportunities they need to succeed.A respected thought leader, Julie has co-authored In Harmony Learning and Kibbles Rockin’ Clubhouse, resources that teach social, academic, and life skills through music. Her research has been featured in Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, Imagine Childhood Magazine, and the American Music Therapy Association’s Leading the Way: Music Therapy Businesses of the Future. She has been honored with numerous accolades, including the ABC 10News Leadership Award (July 2024), the Profiles in Music Education Award (2015), and a California Legislature Assembly Resolution (2015).At the heart of Julie’s work is a belief that every person has a “best,” and music therapy can nurture that pursuit. Whether she’s developing new programs, advocating for increased access to services, or fostering a culture of excellence and inclusion at MTCCA, she remains passionate about transforming lives and inspiring hope—one note at a time.Angela Neve Meier is a board-certified neurologic music therapist, songwriter and co-owner of The Music Therapy Center of California. She received her master’s degree in neurologic music therapy from Colorado State University and received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education/Music Therapy from Wartburg College, graduating Summa Cum Laude.In 2015 she was awarded the Profiles in Music Education Award by the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory. This award is ...
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    53 mins
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