Music Conservatory of Westchester's Music Therapy Institute Kicks-Off 25th Anniversary with David Gonzalez Live!

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Music Conservatory of Westchester (MCW), a nonprofit school of the arts in White Plains, is pleased to announce the 25th anniversary of its Music Therapy Institute (MTI). In honor of this milestone, the Conservatory will present a special kick-off concert on Saturday, October 22 at 3:00pm with acclaimed children's entertainer and music therapist David Gonzalez. MTI's anniversary festivities will continue throughout the school year and culminate with a special Anniversary Gala in Spring 2012.

The Conservatory's Music Therapy Institute serves an ever-growing number of special needs children and adults through individual and small group sessions offered on-site and through numerous partnering agencies. MTI is the largest provider of professional music therapy services in the greater Westchester region, working with over 2,000 youth and adults each year.

"So many children have greatly benefited from our Music Therapy Institute in the past 25 years," noted Carol Shiffman, Executive Director of the Music Conservatory of Westchester. "We look forward to a bright future and are honored to celebrate MTI's silver anniversary with a series of events starting on Oct. 22. David Gonzalez's performances have engaged and mesmerized young audiences across the globe."

Storyteller, musician, poet, actor, writer and music therapist, David Gonzalez is a one-of-a-kind artist. He has created numerous productions that combine compelling drama, music, and multimedia; all of which enchant audiences nationwide with stories of love, hope, courage, and wisdom. David Gonzalez Live! at the Conservatory will include original works that incorporate an array of performance mediums.

"We are thrilled to celebrate 25 years of providing music therapy services to the Westchester community and are very excited to have David Gonzalez here to begin the festivities," said MTI Directors Dr. Tina Brescia and Lisa Sandagata. "We feel honored to meet and work with so many amazing children, adults, families, healthcare professionals, and teachers. David is himself a music therapist and has taught extensively on its many profound benefits."

"I am delighted to support the extraordinary efforts of the MCW Music Therapy program. Their work in the community is what art-making should be all about," said Gonzalez.

Music therapy focuses the power of music to accomplish growth, learning, healing, and change. It has been shown to make a profound difference in the lives of special needs individuals and addresses communication skills, social skills, emotional expression, and physical development. Programs are created at the Conservatory's MTI by certified music therapists.

"The work we accomplish could not be done without the generous support from our dedicated funders and we are very grateful to all of them," explained Brescia and Sandagata. "It is with great pride that we share this anniversary year with the entire Music Conservatory family and our wonderful music therapy faculty, many of whom have been with us for 10-20 years."

Tickets for David Gonzalez Live! are $15; $10 for students and senior citizens and free for Conservatory students and faculty. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (914) 761-3900 x155 or visit www.davidgonzalez.eventbrite.com. All tickets are held at the door and may be retrieved one half-hour before the concert. Reservations are recommended.

The Music Conservatory of Westchester is located at 216 Central Avenue in White Plains, NY. They can be reached at (914) 761-3900 or by visiting www.musicconservatoryonline.org. Follow the Conservatory on Facebook (Westchester MusicConservatory) and Twitter (@MusicCW), or check their new blog (www.musicconservatoryblog.org) for the latest news and updates.

Press Contact: Barbara Wollenberg, +1-914-666-0066, [email protected]

SOURCE The Music Conservatory of Westchester