Simply Music Gateway
Fostering musical expression in those with learning differences
THE POWERFUL STORY OF JEWELS, AUTISM & MUSIC
Students with special needs
Musical self-expression provides a new means of communication
Over our decades-long history, many students with special needs and learning differences have experienced amazing success with our core curriculum – the Simply Music program. In certain instances, for some students, the processing and learning differences are so profound that an entirely different approach is warranted in order to allow access to the music within. For these students, we have developed the Simply Music Gateway Program. This includes, but is not limited to, students with:
- ADD / ADHD
- Dyslexia
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Down Syndrome
- Autism Spectrum
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Blindness/Hearing loss
- Certain brain trauma
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Abnormalities of hands/fingers
- Cognitive Delay
- Spina Bifida
What is Simply Music Gateway?
Transforming the learning experience of those with special needs
The Simply Music Gateway program (SMG) is a unique, adaptive piano curriculum that has been created in order to give students with profound special needs and learning differences the opportunity to have music making be a real and meaningful part of their lives.
Simply Music Gateway is a step-by-step learning experience. Through a creative, improvisational approach using multisensory channels, the student can “play” the piano while processing the basics and developing new and important skills.
The Gateway benefits
Improves fine motor skills
Decreases agitated behavior
Increases willingness to socialize
Enhances cognitive function
Increases memory
Decreases anxiety
Increases attention
Improves sensory-motor function
Increases
self-awareness
Increases focus
Enhances
self-expression
Increases confidence
The Curriculum
Music provides a new means of communication
The elements of music, rhythm, harmony and melody provide pathways to non-verbal communication that express feelings and ideas, and stimulate speech in those that have difficulty expressing themselves with language. Fine motor skills are developed, and processing issues and learning differences are addressed by focusing on one sensory system at a time.
SMG isolates the different sensory systems, such as visual processing, fine motor development, and auditory training, while incorporating the music used in the Simply Music curriculum. As these songs are modified for the needs of the individual, students will quickly become familiar with and incorporate the songs into the learning process, with each new learning step reflecting the student’s level of understanding.
Simply Music Gateway students
A unique, adaptive piano curriculum for those with learning differences
The most important aspect of participating in SMG is to enjoy the process of learning music, without pressure or expectation. Students will come to realize that music establishes a relationship between themselves and the teacher, as both engage in a creative endeavor, sharing the intangible essence of music as communication and language.
Every student in the Gateway program takes one step at a time. Being free to experience natural musicianship and learn the piano with neither expectations nor pressure, contributes to a positive, lasting and valuable experience.
Simply Music’s Founder, Neil Moore, with Jewels.
What does it cost?
Simply Music Teachers are entirely independent and determine their own fee structure. Contact your local Simply Music Teacher to inquire about their fees.
The Gateway Program Student Home Materials (SHMs) are a required part of the learning experience. These SHMs are housed and accessed within our Learning Management System (LMS). The cost of maintaining your LMS Membership is $4 per month, and the cost of accessing the Gateway SHMs is $25.00*
Once access is acquired, these SHMs will reside in your Simply Music Student Intranet account. As long as you stay current with your $4 monthly LMS Membership, you can access your SHMs 24/7 – anytime and anywhere as long as you have an active Internet connection.
* International pricing note: for those living outside of the USA, we are happy to create a pricing structure that aligns with your country’s currency-value and cost-of-living.
Ready to learn more about Simply Music Gateway?
If you’re looking to start Simply Music Gateway lessons, the first step is to find a teacher. You can use our Locator Map to search for teachers near you, or if there are no Simply Music Teachers in your area, you can contact teachers who offer lessons for online students.
Teaching Simply Music Gateway
A new opportunity to teach music to people with profound learning differences
SMG is designed to be taught by Licensed Simply Music teachers and offers a structured, adaptive piano curriculum that is easy to follow and implement.
You will need to set aside any typical expectations and simply meet the students where they are. Getting to know the student – personality, likes and dislikes, behavior patterns, motor issues, communication modality, etc. – along with the training and guidance provided in the Teacher Training Materials, will help you determine how to appropriately deliver the curriculum.
The most important quality is simply a desire to understand and authentically connect with the student regardless of their circumstance. This is truly an opportunity to engage in a positive, life-changing experience.
About the program developer
Meet the person that helped make this happen
Karen Nisenson
M.M., M.A., MT-BC Founder/Director
Karen Nisenson is Founder and Clinical Director of Arts for Healing, a not-for-profit creative arts therapy center started in 2000. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School, Bachelor of Science from Hunter College, a Master of Arts degree in Music Therapy from NYU, where she taught for many years in the Music Therapy Department and was affiliated with the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Center.
Karen developed the Integrated Music and Art Therapy methodology (IMAT) and the Adaptive Music Teaching Curriculum. She has also created early childhood academic programs specifically designed for children on
the Autism Spectrum. Karen is a contributor to Special Parent Magazine and The Motor Story Online News Magazine. Karen consults to schools, and frequently presents talks and workshops to parents and professionals about the impact and importance of the arts in education.
“I didn’t know Jewels was autistic until he was officially diagnosed at age four. He couldn’t look
you in the eye. I so wanted Jewels to be “typical” or “normal”. I did not know how to connect with
him. A lot of children with autism don’t have the ability to speak. For Jewels, music is his voice.
For him, it’s been everything. Your gift to my child, the Simply Music program's gift, became his
gift to me.”
Mary Harrison
Parent
Parent
"As a result of a spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage, I sustained a serious brain injury and was
no longer engaged in gainful employment. With the help of my care-provider, we found Simply
Music. It has been of fantastic benefit to me, in that it enabled me to play the piano immediately.
It encourages the brain to forge new pathways, enhancing healing! It's the glue that's bringing
my brain back together."
Teresa Killeen
Simply Music student
Simply Music student
“Savannah is 9 years old and is severely affected by autism. Simply Music has been great for
her fundamental core building and belief in herself. The consistency and continuity of this
program has had a profound effect on her. Savannah is now able to express herself musically
and loves to make musical sense on the keyboard.”
Giselle Roznicki
Parent
Parent
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