Founders Ashley-Drake Estes and Haden Minifie, two master’s level board-certified music therapists, and graduates of SUNY New Paltz, are striving to create a worldwide movement to heal and bring together communities around the world that have experienced trauma. Sing Out! International is recognized as a nonprofit organization, and is in the process of achieving tax-exempt status.
The organization has been invited to lead a six-week music therapy program at Hope North in Uganda, a vocational and secondary school for former child soldiers, founded by former child soldier, Okello Sam. The goals of the program include fostering connection within the community, increasing positive coping skills, improving quality of life, and providing an alternative means of expression through music. Okello Sam would like Sing Out! International to come to Hope North in February 2016. The program at Hope North will be the first of many projects that Sing Out! International will lead utilizing music therapy as the medium through which to help individuals on a local, national, and international level process and cope with the aftermath of traumatic experiences.
Sing Out! International will be hosting a benefit concert at 8 PM Wednesday, November 18th at Snug Harbor Bar & Grill in New Paltz to fundraise for the program. The event will feature The Black Horse Riders and Snowbear, as well as raffle prizes from local businesses. Cover charge will be $5. Must be at least 21 to attend.
Come on out to hear some great music, learn more about Sing Out! International, meet the co-founders, and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win some fun prizes! Proceeds from the event will go to fund instrumental purchases, airfare, and lodging for the project in Uganda. Look for Sing Out International on Facebook for details about the event and raffle prizes.
