Music gives a voice to a usually voiceless community

By Antonia Guzman

Beverly dances excitedly to every beat of “With a Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles as she waits her turn to take the stage. The 30-year-old, who has Noonan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that prevents normal development, is part of the dance group that will dance to “Twist and Shout.”

With smiles on their faces, Beverly and her friends play their instruments, dance to the beat of their music and sing. The audience grows larger around the band of musicians singing along and tapping their feet to the melody. The joy is infectious. 

Beverly and the other performers are part of a musical group called the Note-Ables.

The Note-Ables is a non-profit organization using music therapy to help children and adults with disabilities. According to Executive Director Manal Toppozada, it has grown tremendously since 1999 and in 2003 the program expanded to meet the rising demand for more classes to serve more people.

Their mission is to raise awareness and live up to the idea that creativity knows no bounds.  The program focuses on more than just teaching people about music, it gives them the opportunity to experience a unique opportunity.  They are able to use their hidden talents to take part in a community that has often excluded people with disabilities. 

“The Note-Ables works with a wide range of individuals from pre-school to seniors,” said Advanced Director Wendy Firestone. “There is also a wide range of disabilities from Autism to Down syndrome to traumatic brain injuries and fatal alcohol syndrome.”

This year the Note-Ables performers are part of Artown.  Their performance entitled All You Need Is Love is one of 50 performances they have this year.

Integration is key to their program. They use music to bring people together.

For their All You Need Is Love performance they paired off with local musicians to play renditions of various Beatles songs. 

 “It is so wonderful for our musicians to get a chance to play with musicians of all abilities,” Toppozada said.

On stage Frank Mackin, on vocals, snaps his fingers and moves to the rhythm of the music as he sings “Love Me Do.” Mackin receives loud cheers from the audience. He grabs the microphone and fixes his hair before he waves hello to all his fans.

Mackin used to be an avid audience member until he auditioned and became part of the main Note-Ables in 2007. Since then he has been one of the lead singers of the band. 

“I enjoy going out and singing,” Mackin said. Through self expression I am part of a community.” 

According to Firestone, Frank is a natural performer who does not let his disability get in the way of showing off his talent. 

“He is not only an amazing singer and band member, he is also an ambassador for the often hidden abilities of people with disabilities,” Firestone said.  “We are proud to be the ones to identify his talent and to have him as a member of the Note-Ables.”

Classes are open to students of all abilities and ages. They are located in the basement of the McKinley Arts and Culture Center in Reno, Nevada. Interested volunteers or donors can contact the Note-Ables at www.note-ables.org.

“You do not need to have any special musical talent, just the desire to have a positive lasting impact on people’s lives,” Firestone said.