Join Merit School of Music for Live from Merit, a free online educational series bringing together creative thinkers, performers with a fresh perspective, and the changemakers redefining music education. Whether you’re a trained musician or just a music-lover, you’re invited to learn something new and enjoy some beautiful music.

MUSIC EDUCATION FOR DEAF/HARD OF HEARING CHILDREN

It's long been proven that music education dramatically impacts a child's development and wellbeing. Today, visionary music educators are finding that the benefits of music education are especially beneficial to children who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH).

We welcome Kristen Van Dyke from The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation (FHSR) and Merit School of Music’s own Sally Blandon (Early Childhood & General Music Program Manager) for a webinar discussing the astounding benefits of music for DHH children.

Tune in to this first installment from the Live from Merit series to:

• Learn about the proven impact of music education for children with hearing loss
• Dig into how the Music to My Ears program puts the science into action
• Take a behind the scenes look into one of FHSR and Merit’s classrooms

About the Music to My Ears Progam

FHSR’s Music to My Ears (MTME) program in partnership with Merit School of Music brings the life-long benefits of music education to deaf and hard of hearing children. While music education is known to produce significant social-emotional and cognitive benefits for all children, for children with hearing loss, music education provides the added benefit of easing language acquisition and improving speech therapy outcomes.

MEET YOUR HOSTS

Kristen Van Dyke is the Executive Director for The Foundation for Speech Rehabilitation (FHSR). She first joined FHSR nine years ago as a Board Director with a personal understanding of childhood hearing loss. In 2006, shortly after the birth of her son, Maxwell, she and her husband learned that Max was deaf. Since then, she has seen first-hand the benefits of cochlear implantation. In 2015, Kristen transitioned into the position of Executive Director. With a Master's in Public Policy from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, Kristen brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the Executive Director position. Driven by a keen focus on early childhood challenges due to income and health disparities, she works to create programs that address all the needs of children born with hearing loss.

Sally Blandon is the Early Childhood & General Music Program Manager at Merit School of Music. Born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, Sally's growing passion for music brought her to Chicago where she graduated with a BA in Vocal Jazz Performance from Columbia College. Since graduating, Sally has toured internationally, taught and managed youth-focused music curriculum, and produced several independent music productions throughout the Midwest. Whether she is conquering stages or behind the scenes, Sally shares her gifts meticulously and brings her vivacious spirit to all she takes on. Sally is passionate about her work at Merit School of Music and looks forward to creating new opportunities to expand the Music to My Ears program with FHSR.