Aspire! Conservatory is honored to offer the Inclusive Arts Program to the Tri-State area because the arts are for everyone. Our desire is to make music and art classes and sessions more accessible to both youth and adults with a wide array of needs. Whether for enjoyment and socialism or for therapeutic values, the arts are undeniably essential to the growth and well-being of the human mind, body, and soul
Explore our Inclusive Arts offerings below!
NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL CLASSES
IN MUSIC & ART
Music Therapy
Individual & Group Sessions
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.
Adapted Music Lessons
One-on-One Instruction
Music Therapy has a goal of meeting the needs of the individual by improving life skills for quality of life such as comminution skills, emotional skills, social skills, motor functions and coordination, self-expression and personal growth. The “special benefits” of music therapy are musical.
In Adapted Music Lessons, the goal is to teach an individual with disabilities to play a specific instrument or to sing using an adapted curriculum , but it comes with the “special benefits” of fine/gross
motor skills, speech development, cognitive functioning, behavior management, etc. Adapted music lessons may be taught by a music educator or a music therapist.
Aspire is equipped to offer adapted music lessons to all individuals who desire to learn.
Special Needs
Music & Art Classes
Youth and Adult
Special Nin Music and Art will be offered throughout the year for persons with special needs. These classes will be grouped with both age and cognitive level considered. Classes may be taught by a music/art educator, music therapist, an occupational therapist with a minor in art, or psychologist with art therapy training.
Watch here and out Facebook page for scheduling information.
CLICK HERE
FOR FALL 2021
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES & TIMES
Music Therapy & Adapted Music Lessons
We are now scheduling one-on-one music therapy and adapted music lessons with Carleigh Cazad.
Call for available times.
Inclusive Music Classes
Foundational Music Explorations
This class is for special needs students ages 3-4 and will be taught by music therapist Carleigh Cazad. Students will focus on gross motor skills, cognitive development, socialization, and behavioral management through musical experiences. Parents are encouraged to participate!
Elementary Music Experiences
This class is for special needs students ages 5-10 and will be taught by music therapist Carleigh Cazad. Students will focus on fine & gross motor skills, cognitive development, emotional & mental health, socialization, and behavioral management through musical experiences in singing and playing instruments while learning basic music principles.
Intermediate Music Adventures
This class is for special needs students ages 11-18 and will be taught by music therapist Carleigh Cazad. Students will focus on cognitive development, conceptualization & decision making, fine & gross motor skills, emotional/mental health, socialization, and behavioral management through singing, instrument playing, improvisation while learning basic music principles and music reading skills.
Adult Music Academy
This class is for special needs students ages 19+ and will be taught by music therapist Carleigh Cazad. Participants will focus on cognitive health & memory skills, emotional/mental health, conceptualization & decision making, fine & gross motor skills, and socialization through song writing, improvisation, singing and instrument playing while learning basic music principles and music reading skills.
Inclusive Art Classes
Foundational Art
This class is for special needs students ages 7-12 and will be taught by Kayla Gaskin. The class will explore a variety of art mediums, styles and themes.
Intermediate Art
This class is for special needs students ages 13-18 and will be taught by Leasa Swint. The class will explore a variety of art mediums, styles and themes.
Adult Art
This class is for special needs students ages 19+ years of age and will be taught by Leasa Swint. They class will explore a variety of art mediums, styles and themes.
OUR INCLUSIVE INSTRUCTORS
Carleigh Cazad, Music Therapist
Individual Therapy Sessions &
Inclusive Music Instructor
Carleigh Cazad is a graduate of Belmont University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy. She completed her clinical training with her internship experience at the University of Louisville Music Therapy Clinic in Louisville, KY. Her passion for music therapy stems from her love of both music and helping others.
Mary Everett, Psychologist
Inclusive Art Instructor
Mary Everett graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC in 2001 with a BA in Psychology and an emphasis in Art Therapy. During her undergraduate studies she participated in many internships conducting art therapy sessions. She received her master’s degree in clinical counseling from Webster University in 2003. Mary has worked as a school-based counselor from preschool age to high school. She also worked in private practice with families and children.
Mary grew up in a military family and moved frequently during her childhood. She has lived in Arizona,
Scotland, Virginia, Florida, South Carolina and finally settled in Ashland, Ky. Mary has been married for
15 years and has two children. She moved here in 2007 with her husband from Murrells Inlet, SC. Mary enjoys working on home improvement projects and spending time with her family. She enjoys working with families and individuals to help them express themselves through art.
Kayla Gaskin,
Occupational Therapist
Inclusive Art Instructor
Kayla Gaskin is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, having completed a Bachelors in Occupational Science, Minor in Studio Arts, and a Masters in Occupational Therapy. She is thankful for about 6 years of experience working in outpatient pediatric settings helping little ones reach developmental milestones, improving sensory modulation, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, equipping parents, and more. Kayla currently works part time at Milestones Physical Therapy in Huntington, WV.
While a college student at EKU, Kayla loved serving two summers as a camp counselor with WinShape Camps for kids teaching art both summers and indoor rocking climbing one of those summers.
She has been praying about how to serve the special needs population in the tri-state and this opportunity to teach a special needs art class this summer was offered. Kayla is excited about this opportunity to utilize her background in teaching art and special needs children at the same time!
In addition to her job as an occupational therapist, Kayla is a full time mommy to two boys with a third on the way. She loves spending her time doing ministry alongside her husband at Legacy First Baptist Ashland. As a family they love to travel, hike, and eat out.
Fun Fact: Kayla grew up in Louisville, KY and was on the bowling team in high school.