Donna Guzzo, President and CEO of First Coast Cultural Center announced today the nonprofit organization’s Sound Connections® Music Therapy program for children with disabilities must seek funding to continue services for St. Johns School District students who are in most need including Crookshank Elementary, The Webster School, and Osceola Elementary which are Title I schools in St. Augustine, Fla. Existing funds will help to continue the program at Cunningham Creek Elementary, Valley Ridge Academy, PVPV/Rawlings, and Ocean Palms Elementary in St. Johns County.

According to Donna Guzzo, First Coast Cultural Center’s President and CEO, like many local nonprofits with cultural, music, and arts programs, the recent federal, state and county budget cuts have greatly diminished programs such as Sound Connections®. “The federal cuts have reduced our budget with approximately $60,000 in less funding. That amount is imperative to keep the program fully intact and the ability to pay two professional nationally board-certified music therapists who are trained in providing quality care,” said Guzzo. “Funding also contributes to additional costs to facilitate the program in Title I schools including instruments, technology, curriculum materials, and more,” she said. Foundations, individuals, medical professionals, manufacturers, corporate donors, and others can greatly help to fund the music program while Guzzo hopes to sustain existing relationships and attract new contributors to support the deficit as of July 1.

Sound Connections® is an outreach of the First Coast Cultural Center offered free of charge to students in St Johns County schools for close to 20 years. The program is designed to support students’ progress in developing and attaining social, emotional, and academic goals using music interventions.

“Music therapy can offer numerous benefits to students of all ages. One of the main advantages is that it can enhance cognitive development by improving memory, attention span, and problem-solving skills,” said Guzzo. “Additionally, music therapy can help students regulate their emotions and reduce stress levels, leading to a more positive learning environment. It also promotes creativity and self-expression, allowing students to explore their feelings and thoughts in a safe and supportive way,” she said. “Music therapy can improve teamwork as students collaborate in making music together. Overall, integrating music therapy into education can have a profound impact on students' academic performance and well-being.” Guzzo added that she hears from teachers about students in the program who will finally grasp a skill they were struggling with after intervention in a music setting.

“Sound Connections® is essential for our students with disabilities. We have the data to show that the program is successful, but that can’t capture the successes that I see all the time. For example, from a nonverbal student saying ‘hello’ during a greeting song, to a student with autism sharing instruments with a peer, to students with behavioral disorders working together to write a song,” said Candice Sirak, MT-BC, board certified music therapist. Sirak has worked with more than 500 students annually in the Sound Connections® program, and in St. Johns County School District’s Access and Florida Head Start classrooms including children with significant cognitive disabilities and the income-based program, respectively. Sirak performs specially designed therapeutic songs and guitar compositions with a wide variety of musical items and interactive touch boards for students to achieve their goals.

According to St. Johns School District teachers who educate students that benefit from the program, they have shared with Guzzo and the music therapists that students are more focused and ready to learn on days with music therapy. And that students look forward to music therapy every week with social and emotional practices that keep them on a scheduled routine while providing variety and maintaining classroom relationships and students making music together.

“First Coast Cultural Center’s outreach services need the public’s help in saving this program at schools, particularly in St. Augustine. The situation is dire. Anyone can help by visiting the website to donate or emailing First Coast Cultural Center to support the program,” said Guzzo.

First Coast Cultural Center’s major fundraisers also help with Sound Connections® including the upcoming 5th Annual Beaches, A Celebration of the Arts event on Sunday, April 28 from 6 pm until 8 pm featuring Aundra Wallace, President of JAXUSA at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, 110 Championship Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, contact Donna Guzzo at [email protected] and (904) 280-0614, ext. 1201 or Kimberly Sheridan at [email protected] and (904) 280-0614, ext. 1205.  Visit the Sound Connections® website at  https://firstcoastculturalcenter.org/programs-events/sound-connections-r.

The Cultural Center’s new building has formally opened with arts, culture, community activities, and a gift shop at 6000B Sawgrass Village Circle in Ponte Vedra Beach. The two-story, 6,000-square-foot space was funded in part by local donors and an additional support campaign is currently in place. The Center is a place to create, understand, and experience the arts. The organization accomplishes its goals through exhibitions of local, regional and national artists in a variety of media through educational and enlivening events, quality arts classes, lectures, and workshops. Key programs include Sound Connections® Music Therapy for children with disabilities which is offered free of charge to students at St. Johns County schools, and Title I schools which provide additional resources to economically disadvantaged students. Also, Kick StART after school arts enrichment programs and services are available. Visit the website at https://firstcoastculturalcenter.org.