There was a great turnout of therapists at the Music Therapy Convention in in Chicago.  Many college students showed up at the Dancing Hands booth and experimented with the hand taps.  Here are some quotes:

“Hand taps are perfect for improving grip control and range in the hand.  A person can grip the handle with two fingers.  Set up two target points and a steady beat to create music.  At the same time there is improvement in active/passive range in the wrist, elbow and arm.“ 

 Lindsey Landek, Western Michigan University

“You can do hand taps with fast/slow beats or music - even choreograph it with clients in a circle for social interaction.  Each client can experiment with different surfaces as they group or partner up.” 

 Ellen Walther, Baldwin-Wallace College, Ohio.

“We used them for improvisation by giving one client the Dancing Hands and then the other clients had other percussion instruments.  The client with the Dancing Hands was able to do a solo with them when the other clients cut out. Their creativity was amazing.  I also like the fact that it provides an outlet for adults in wheelchairs who cannot dance with their feet, but still can with their hands.” 

Beth Kaufman, Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne

  Dancing Hands was recently introduced to some children in Haiti.  They were feeling the beat!

“Dancing Hands excites our residents and causes them to be more energetic and more active.”  Mary Augustine, activity director for a Palm Beach nursing home, loves music.  The residents do, too, especially if they can tap to some lively music for tapping!   Mary is a typical activity director.  Just take a look at her desk.  Even on a busy day, tapping can provide a bright diversion for everyone. 

   A new CD will be ready soon.  Paul McDaniel, a pianist and composer, can play the big band music with a flair.  Energy is what we are looking for and that is what we will have!  Get ready for the Blues, Rock, Disco, Tango, and Boogie Woogie, as well as Latino  We will have some familiar songs like Peg O My Heart,  Margie, and Take Me Out to the Ball Game.  He has also composed some new tunes and rhythms specifically for Dancing Hands.  

“Dancing hands has really been a great addition to my practicum so far. One person had difficulty expressing herself to us, but when she grabbed a dancing hand, she became the Gene Kelly of the tabletop.  It amazed all of us. The other clients were so amazed at what this client was doing! She even improvised off of the instruments on the table; tapping on tambourines and bells to get new sounds. 

I’m actually experimenting with using them in private lessons to help my younger students learn rhythm.  It’s a great visual aid.”       Christine Czuhajewski, music therapy student