Matheny students Natalie Tomastyk and Bianca Mathis, performing with music therapy intern Betsy Barone.
The Matheny Muses, a young group of eclectic artists and performers from Matheny’s choir, performed their rendition of Owl City and Carley Rae Jepson’s “Good Time” at the 10th annual Express Yourself-New Jersey event held Sunday, November 11 by ArtWorks: The Naomi Cohain Foundation at the Montclair Art Museum.
ArtWorks provides children and young adults suffering from chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and their siblings, access to creative and performing arts programs in a safe environment that encourages healing, communication, self-expression and personal development. Express Yourself is a creative and performing art exhibition that provides these children and young adults with an open and loving forum to express themselves—through singing, dancing, reciting poetry, playing instruments and standing proudly by their works of art.
Although the Matheny students are all in wheelchairs, they feel music reminds them not to sit in defeat but to move to the beat, making them feel as if they were back on their feet. The Music Therapy program at Matheny uses various types of music to positively impact students’ and patients’ cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills, helping them realize their potential in society.
