Jazz Jam

Proceeds will support existing programs: Cunningham Creek, Valley Ridge Academy, Ocean Palms, PV/PV, Webster and Osceola, and fund new services at South Woods, Crookshank and Timberlin Elementaries.

First Coast Cultural Center has been successful in providing music therapy through the Sound Connections® program for sixteen years due to the generosity of donors and grants. Sound Connections’® proven track record of success has led to a request to provide services to Crookshank Elementary and South Woods Elementary, both Title 1 schools, as well as Timberlin Creek Elementary.  Each year, the Center must raise a minimum of $150,000 to support our current schools, and we are now campaigning for an additional $100,000 in order to provide services to the new schools.

What is Music Therapy?

According to the American Music Therapy Association, "Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish
individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program." In the Sound Connections program, our board-certified therapists assess each student's needs and formulate music therapy goals that directly relate to the students’ individualized educational goals. Students are seen in classroom groups, small groups, and in individual sessions during which the therapists use evidence-based interventions to address the academic, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical goals of the students. Our 400-plus students are typically seen one-two times per week. During the 2020-2021 school year, 96% of our students met all or all but one of their music therapy goals.