Thanks to the Elizabeth Carse Foundation, ALL Academy students in Naugatuck have the opportunity to attend weekly music therapy sessions for the 2023-2024 school year.

Aspire Living & Learning is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a generous $4,000 grant from the Elizabeth Carse Foundation to incorporate a transformative music therapy program for the 2023-2024 school year at its ALL Academy in Naugatuck, CT.

ALL Academy, a private special education school, serves a diverse group of K-12th grade students with behavioral and social-emotional needs. While the school’s dedicated teachers and staff have made earnest efforts to provide arts-related activities, the absence of specialized music educators has limited the scope of comprehensive music education. With the support of the Elizabeth Carse Foundation, ALL Academy will bridge this gap by introducing a music therapy residency program that will grant students continuous access to music-related activities throughout the upcoming school year.

“The Elizabeth Carse Foundation has provided an extraordinary opportunity for the students of ALL Academy,” said Lou Giramma, CEO of Aspire Living & Learning. “We are excited to provide them with a dedicated music therapy program tailored to their unique interests and needs. This grant will not only enrich their educational experience but also contribute to their personal growth and development.”

The grant will empower Aspire to collaborate with Connecticut Music Therapy Services, a reputable provider of music therapy, to deliver weekly 45-minute music sessions. These sessions will provide students with a platform to express themselves and cultivate a range of skills through music.

Aspire Living & Learning extends its deepest gratitude to the Elizabeth Carse Foundation for their generous support. The impact of this program extends far beyond music education, as music therapy has demonstrated profound effects on people with intellectual disabilities. It offers a powerful avenue for self-expression, enabling students to convey thoughts, emotions, and ideas through music, even when traditional verbal communication may present challenges.