The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), in collaboration with Arts Integration Services, is offering free music workshops for patients with neurodegenerative disorders beginning Oct. 26.
All the workshops will be held on Wednesdays from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Room G1180-1190, at 629 Jack Stephens Drive in Little Rock.
The dates for the workshops are Oct. 26, Nov. 2 and 16, Dec. 7 and 21, Jan. 4 and 18, March 1 and 15, April 5 and 19, May 3 and 17, and June 7 and 21.
These workshops will address cognitive, physical, and emotional needs of patients, according to Arts Integration Services, whose trained musician, Patty Oeste, will lead them in coordination with the UAMS Movement Disorders Clinic. The workshops are designed to teach patients how the voice works, and how to exercise the vocal apparatus and practice breath control.
“This opportunity to explore vocal music can help patients process the physical and mental challenges they face,” according to the clinic.
Funded through a 2021 UAMS Chancellor’s Circle grant to the Department of Neurology, the music classes are available for people that have neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease, and Lewy body dementia, as well as their caretakers.
No singing or musical experience is required to participate. However, participants must register through email at sjdhall@uams.edu or by calling or texting (602) 635-0739.
Participants are encouraged to attend as many workshops as they wish.