By DENISE MOE
If you were standing in the lobby of Hotel Carmichael on Feb. 22, you might have heard a strange buzzing noise from the Cole Porter Ballroom.
That buzzing was the sound of a Synergize 4:30 Meetup – more specifically, an army of kazoos. The unconventional networking group gathers each month to support a new nonprofit. This month, their efforts benefitted Resounding Joy, a new local branch of a nonprofit music therapy organization.
“The benefits of music therapy are science-backed and truly amazing,” said Synergize Director of Marketing Heather Hunter. “Resounding Joy is an incredible organization because their work provides better mental and physical health for literally thousands of people.”
Resounding Joy was founded in California in 2004 by Dr. Barbara Reuer. Over time, it has grown into a nonprofit with a full staff of licensed music therapists. Resounding Joy can offer free services to families in need thanks to donations from supporters like Synergize. This event supported the nonprofit’s first Midwest satellite, located right here in Carmel.
Resounding Joy serves thousands of people through three umbrella programs: Semper Sound, which focuses on rehabilitation and transition for service members and veterans; Healing Notes, for medically resilient and/or hospitalized children and families; and Community Connections, encompassing everything from corporate wellness programs to first responders processing trauma to people recovering from addiction.
Reuer spoke at the event alongside Lindsay Zehren, Resounding Joy’s Chief Purpose Officer, and Lindsay Olmer, whose daughter Marley has found support in Resounding Joy’s services. Attendees of the 4:30 Meetup also got a taste of Resounding Joy’s services through a mini music therapy session. Zehren led the group in a chorus of drums and kazoos.
“In this short time, music affected our blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and increased T-cell production – your natural fight against cancer,” Zehren explained to the group. “All of these things work together as a catalyst to release ‘happy’ hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, which improve mood and help us to feel connected to one another.”
Through the 4:30 Meetup, Synergize members raised enough funds to cover 26 music therapy sessions given by Resounding Joy. Now, the group will begin gearing up for their March impact: Dotted Line Divas, a local organization using extreme couponing to provide household and hygiene supplies to those in need.
4:30 Meetup tickets are included in Synergize memberships, but all people are encouraged to attend by purchasing a non-member ticket on Eventbrite. A portion of every non-member ticket and Synergize membership supports the month’s cause. Visit synergizeindy.com for more information about the group.
Interested in Resounding Joy? See a brief video overview of their work here. To dive deeper into their story, their corporate programs and other offerings, and how you can get involved, email Lindsay Zehren at lzehren@resoundingjoyinc.org.