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About this project

Listen & Learn Music was born in a three-ring binder. Said binder was mostly empty at first, save for a few sheets of paper full of lyrics and guitar chords. I'm a music therapist, and as I worked with my students, I'd write songs to help them reach their goals. The more students I had, the more songs I wrote, until that three-ring binder was full.

So I started a blog. I began recording my songs as I wrote them, and then sharing them (and my adventures in music therapy) with the internet. That was in September 2008. Now, almost a year later, I have recorded over 100 original songs written specifically for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. I use them in my work at a school for such children, and via my blog, my songs reach hundreds of children a week through their parents, teachers, and other professionals in the field.

My songs cover a wide range of topics, from social skills, to emotions, to self-care, to basic educational goals such as reading and counting. I write based on need, and I listen to my audience (both the children and those who can speak on their behalf). My motivation is the feedback I receive in the form of my students' progress first and foremost, as well as emails from visitors to my blog who have been touched by a child's response to my songs.

I want Listen & Learn Music to grow and spread. I know that it has the potential to reach a larger audience, but I can't do that on my own. I simply don't have the financial resources to properly record and distribute my music, which to date has been done completely by me using a USB microphone, my laptop, and my website.

That is where you come in. Whether you pledge $1 or $100, your contribution can help me secure the funds I need to professionally record, manufacture, and distribute "Listen & Learn: Music for a Different Kind of Audience" - a CD of songs compiled from my extensive Listen & Learn Music collection - so that it reaches its full potential. I want for it to reach every corner of the internet, every household, and every classroom that might have at least one child who could benefit from one of my songs.

Here is how Kickstarter works. You can make a pledge anytime between now and the end of my project. No money is exchanged until the end date I've set: October 8, 2009. No money is collected unless I reach my goal of $2,000. But the great news is that although $2,000 is my ultimate goal, it doesn't have to stop there. The more money pledged, the more songs I can include on the CD and the farther it can reach.

So please consider being a part of this, because not only will children with autism benefit, but so will you! For each pledge level, backers (those who make pledges) will receive neat things from ME in return. Stay tuned for more details...and thank you, thank you, thank you!

Project location: Springfield, IL

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