First Yamaha Clavinova Connection Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
BUENA PARK, Calif. Rainbow Acres is a 27-acre ranch-style community in Camp Verde, Arizona for adults with developmental disabilities. Rainbow Acres fosters a sense of self-worth in residents through positive qualities of family-style living in a loving and accepting community; residents are called 'Ranchers' to reinforce the belief that each is an individual of worth who should be treated with dignity. At Rainbow Acres, Ranchers learn job skills, social standards and self-help methods from a dedicated staff of 48 who offer a wide range of programs.
The Yamaha Clavinova Connection is a recent addition to programming at Rainbow Acres. Rather than emphasizing musical mastery or performance skills, the innovative program allows anyone, regardless of physical capabilities or prior musical background, to enjoy making music. The FollowLights® feature shows players which notes to play, using red lights for the white keys and green for the black keys. Other components, such as wellness (breathing, stretching and visualization exercises), drum circle, improvisation, sing-a-long, song of the day and more make it easy for people of all ability levels to join the fun and reap the benefits of making music.
Gary Wagner, CEO and president, says, "We have had absolutely incredible responses from the Ranchers. One Rancher, who loves music but doesn't feel comfortable yet playing the Clavinova, gets a baton and conducts along with the rhythm. He beams with satisfaction at being able to participate. Another man, once told he couldn't play piano because of a withered hand, now uses it to create rhythm while playing melodies with the other hand. He never misses a session," says Wagner.
Wagner attended the United Methodist Association national conference in March 2007, and got acquainted with the Clavinova Connection by attending presentations by noted researcher and neurologist, Dr. Barry Bittman. In 2004, Bittman led a team of scientists to conduct landmark research that showed Yamaha's Clavinova Connection program produced far greater reversal of stress-induced changes at the DNA level than typical relaxation activities. Bittman's presentation about the extraordinary lifestyle benefits of recreational music-making led Wagner to the Clavinova Connection booth, where he met Lori Frazer, Yamaha Marketing Programs Specialist.
"Lori came and did a demonstration for our Board of Trustees at Rainbow Acres, with parents and guardians in attendance," says Wagner. "One dad, a semi-professional musician, said 'we've got to have this at Rainbow Acres,' and gave me the first $5,000 to fund the program. Her second presentation, before our Board of Trustees, led to approval to pursue the project."
The first presentation included a 'variety show' by the Ranchers. "I came out a day early to help the Ranchers create a program for the group and it was amazing," says Frazer. "One woman, who had a great singing voice, sang along with the Clavinova's karaoke feature. Another, who had piano lessons previously, already read music really well. She played the piano, then was accompanied by an orchestra, on disk, so the Board and parents could hear the range of orchestral accompaniments available on the Clavinova."
Rainbow Acres uses four Clavinova CVP 305 models (for Ranchers) and a CVP 307 (for the facilitator), and takes full advantage of the adaptable nature of the technology. "Facilitators can easily change features on the Clavinova to make it possible for anyone to make music," says Frazer, who returned to Rainbow Acres to train seven facilitators to run the Clavinova lab.
Arliss Morse and six other facilitators offer nine Clavinova Connection sessions for 36 students each week. "Everyone gets very jazzed up about it it's a lot of fun," says Morse. One new Rancher signed up for two sessions a week, and is always eager for an extra slot if one opens up. "He just loves it, even doing the same Song of the Day over again," she says. "He especially loves the deep breathing part, and says nothing relaxes as much. He would do it every day if he could." Another Rancher, who is in his 60s and is Down Syndrome, loves music. "When he hears music, he's awestruck, he'll cry. Music just really touches his heart. And, although he's not able to use the FollowLights® feature, he has observed others playing and looks as though he's doing it right. He becomes Liberace, with the volume toned down a bit," she says. "Normally, he's very quiet and does his work in the center without saying a word. But, after 'playing music,' he gives hugs and kisses to everybody. It really brings him out of his shell." Another man, who is an avid reader, "loves The Smithsonian and National Geographic magazines, and has the most perfect musical touch. I don't know if he's ever played a wrong note. He's so incredible, and just delights in participating in this program." On weekends, staff may use the Clavinovas informally for karaoke sing-a-longs or other musical activities.
"My approach," says Wagner, "is that we already do a lot of things well as a residential community. I see the Clavinova Connection as an enrichment, as a real value added to the Ranchers' quality of life. We are privately funded, and we know people have to make sacrifices for their loved ones to be here. We're always looking for ways to give added value in exchange for their commitment to our fees," he says, "and we've gotten lots of positive feedback from parents and guardians about the Clavinova Connection program."
Rainbow Acres was founded in 1974, and is an Eagle Accredited Organization by the Commission of the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries.
For further information, please visit www.clavinovaconnection.com and www.rainbowacres.com.
 Clavinova Connection facilitators meet with Yamaha's Lori Frazer (second from right) at a training in December 2008. |
Gary Wagner, CEO and president, says, "We have had absolutely incredible responses from the Ranchers. One Rancher, who loves music but doesn't feel comfortable yet playing the Clavinova, gets a baton and conducts along with the rhythm. He beams with satisfaction at being able to participate. Another man, once told he couldn't play piano because of a withered hand, now uses it to create rhythm while playing melodies with the other hand. He never misses a session," says Wagner.
Wagner attended the United Methodist Association national conference in March 2007, and got acquainted with the Clavinova Connection by attending presentations by noted researcher and neurologist, Dr. Barry Bittman. In 2004, Bittman led a team of scientists to conduct landmark research that showed Yamaha's Clavinova Connection program produced far greater reversal of stress-induced changes at the DNA level than typical relaxation activities. Bittman's presentation about the extraordinary lifestyle benefits of recreational music-making led Wagner to the Clavinova Connection booth, where he met Lori Frazer, Yamaha Marketing Programs Specialist.
"Lori came and did a demonstration for our Board of Trustees at Rainbow Acres, with parents and guardians in attendance," says Wagner. "One dad, a semi-professional musician, said 'we've got to have this at Rainbow Acres,' and gave me the first $5,000 to fund the program. Her second presentation, before our Board of Trustees, led to approval to pursue the project."
The first presentation included a 'variety show' by the Ranchers. "I came out a day early to help the Ranchers create a program for the group and it was amazing," says Frazer. "One woman, who had a great singing voice, sang along with the Clavinova's karaoke feature. Another, who had piano lessons previously, already read music really well. She played the piano, then was accompanied by an orchestra, on disk, so the Board and parents could hear the range of orchestral accompaniments available on the Clavinova."
Rainbow Acres uses four Clavinova CVP 305 models (for Ranchers) and a CVP 307 (for the facilitator), and takes full advantage of the adaptable nature of the technology. "Facilitators can easily change features on the Clavinova to make it possible for anyone to make music," says Frazer, who returned to Rainbow Acres to train seven facilitators to run the Clavinova lab.
Arliss Morse and six other facilitators offer nine Clavinova Connection sessions for 36 students each week. "Everyone gets very jazzed up about it it's a lot of fun," says Morse. One new Rancher signed up for two sessions a week, and is always eager for an extra slot if one opens up. "He just loves it, even doing the same Song of the Day over again," she says. "He especially loves the deep breathing part, and says nothing relaxes as much. He would do it every day if he could." Another Rancher, who is in his 60s and is Down Syndrome, loves music. "When he hears music, he's awestruck, he'll cry. Music just really touches his heart. And, although he's not able to use the FollowLights® feature, he has observed others playing and looks as though he's doing it right. He becomes Liberace, with the volume toned down a bit," she says. "Normally, he's very quiet and does his work in the center without saying a word. But, after 'playing music,' he gives hugs and kisses to everybody. It really brings him out of his shell." Another man, who is an avid reader, "loves The Smithsonian and National Geographic magazines, and has the most perfect musical touch. I don't know if he's ever played a wrong note. He's so incredible, and just delights in participating in this program." On weekends, staff may use the Clavinovas informally for karaoke sing-a-longs or other musical activities.
"My approach," says Wagner, "is that we already do a lot of things well as a residential community. I see the Clavinova Connection as an enrichment, as a real value added to the Ranchers' quality of life. We are privately funded, and we know people have to make sacrifices for their loved ones to be here. We're always looking for ways to give added value in exchange for their commitment to our fees," he says, "and we've gotten lots of positive feedback from parents and guardians about the Clavinova Connection program."
Rainbow Acres was founded in 1974, and is an Eagle Accredited Organization by the Commission of the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries.
For further information, please visit www.clavinovaconnection.com and www.rainbowacres.com.