Music Program
Santa cruz, california
The "Building Rhythm" program began in September 2010 when we conducted a pilot project serving 90 adults with developmental disabilities at three day program sites. The following year we received a grant to bring the project to children. We continue that program to this day. Our partner in this endeavor became Lizz Hodgin, founder of MusicalMeInc© and Regional Director of Music Together©. Lizz and I (Cory Ybarra), as parents of young adults with Down Syndrome, experienced the many challenges that parents of children with special needs encounter and so decided to bring the program into the schools.
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Music Together© is a program that began in 1987 and has expanded to 2500 communities in 40 countries. It is a program utilizing the latest research in neuroscience, psychology, and childhood learning. Our organization has served between three to eight classrooms annually for special needs students in Santa Cruz County. Individuals and small family foundations have supported this program since its inception. We count on your continued commitment.
Music teacher, Shannon McDonaugh, was awarded a Certificate in Recognition of Excellence by SELPA (Special Education Local Planning) for the 2023-2024 school year, emphasizing the unrelenting love and commitment that Shannon brings every week to the classroom.