Music of the Heart recital at Duquesne University offers opportunities to shine

Move over, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. You have company.

“We are privileged to have close to 100 superstars ready to dazzle you with their talents and abilities,” Katie Harrill announced from the Mary Pappert School of Music stage at Duquesne University. “Some are stepping into the spotlight for the first time, while others are marking their 14th year.”

The occasion was the annual Music of the Heart recital on June 2, featuring participants in Wesley Family Services’ Creative Arts Program singing, playing instruments and enjoying the applause of an enthusiastic audience.

Harrill, creative arts founder and supervisor, organized the first such event nearly a decade and a half ago as a natural extension of the music therapy sessions offered by Wesley, a nonprofit that provides behavioral health care services and support programs to children, adults and families.

Music therapy is provided at three Wesley locations: 16055 Perry Highway, Marshall; 4250 Old William Penn Highway, Monroeville; and 100 Emerson Lane, Suite 1525, South Fayette.

“At Wesley, we believe in the power of the arts to inspire and empower. And guess what? We see that power every day in the shining faces and eyes, and confident smiles, of our clients,” Harrill said prior to the Music of the Heart performances. “So a big shoutout to everyone who has come to support us, including the participants, parents, families, friends and our amazing volunteers.”

She introduced audience members to Wesley CEO Doug Muetzel, who is marking his 25th anniversary with the organization this year.

“Doug has been a big fan and supporter of the creative arts program,” she said.

Muetzel was at the helm when Harrill launched it in 2001.

“He’s as excited as you are to witness the empowering performances lined up today,” Harrill said.

Muetzel complimented the Music of the Heart performers.

“Each one of them has a unique gift, a gift that nobody’s ever had since the beginning of time, and no one has a gift like them until the end of time. That’s a very bold statement to believe. But at Wesley, we believe it’s true,” he said. “So that’s why there’s this effort, to make sure that we don’t lose sight of all the work that it took to make this happen, on both sides of the stage.”

In addition to a serving as a performance platform, the recital raises money to help provide scholarships for the music therapy program, which is open to any individual 8 months or older, with or without a mental or physical health diagnosis.

Board-certified music therapists — Harrill included, at South Fayette — work to assure that each individual benefits, and parents and others involved in a client’s treatment are welcome to observe and/or assist during sessions.

Along with music, the creative arts program offers expressive opportunities in dance and movement, drama, digital storytelling and visual art. According to the Wesley Family Services website, the program works toward meeting therapeutic goals such as:

• Encouraging the self-expression of thoughts and feelings.

• Promoting a sense of independence and feelings of control.

• Improving sense of self-worth.

• Improving emotional self-regulation.

• Improving self-efficacy.

• Improving the creative process of cause/effect problem-solving in the context of play.

• Facilitating social skills, including sharing, interacting appropriately with others, taking turns and responding in an acceptable manner.

• Developing and improving fine motor skills, including grasping; use of the wrist and fingers; and facial movements, such as winking.

• Building frustration tolerance, including the ability to adjust to changes in routine.

• Developing and improving gross motor skills such as balance, coordination and walking.

For more information, visit wfspa.org/service/creative-arts-program.