ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A music therapy program for children with special needs is expanding into three St. Johns County elementary schools this year.
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach's music therapy outreach program has already been at Cunningham Creek Elementary in Fruit Cove for 10 years.
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This year, it's expanding to Ocean Palms Elementary, Valley Ridge Academy and PVPV/Rawlings Elementary.
"Music goes where words can't," said Minda Gordon, the music therapist who's been at the helm of the program from the beginning.
Gordon said that connection with music can push children with special needs to move beyond their limitations.
"I've had children who are deaf learn to find the vibration of their instrument," Gordon said. "I've also had kids who were nonverbal begin to sing."
That's why Ocean Palms Elementary Principal Jessica Richardson said she's excited for the program to come to her school this year.
"You can see through their eyes, or their smile, or the way they're reacting to the music, or even the feeling of the drum or the guitar being put on their leg, that they are happy," Richardson said.
Right now, the program only has enough funding for one year. Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach Director of Programs and Exhibitions Leigh Rodante said she hopes once people see its success, they'll want to contribute to keep it going.
The funding for this year's expansion came from the Persbacker-Wyman Family Foundation.