Finding Similarities Through Melodic Connections

Written by Sue Schindler

It was the third Tuesday of the month as I walked into the Melodic Connections studio at 6940 Plainfield Road in Silverton for their 5:30-7:00 PM Common Time community event. Common Time is the brainchild of Executive Director Betsey Zenk Nuseibh, to bring communities together through music.

Melodic Connections Executive Director Betsey Zenk Nuseibh with her son Ollie

Recently inducted into the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music (CCM) as 2019 Distinguished Alumni of the year, Betsy is first and foremost a “disrupter” in music and community relations. It showed throughout the evening. Common Time is the culmination of years of “seeing what works” and taking the leap of faith. No one does this better than Betsey. She has the instincts to bring out the best in others as their spirits and confidence shines through.

Having high enthusiasm and anticipation, I wrote down my required purpose for the evening, “Blog Writer.” Purposes are shared at the beginning of the session to begin the overall connections and clearer understanding of each other. Per their website: “When we express ourselves with intentionality, we know we will arrive at a place that is better than before.”

Lynn Migliara, Melodic Connections development director welcomed me, as I entered the huge music studio that easily seats 60 musicians. I was one of the first to sit in a circle that was in the shape of a snail’s shell. It was filled with chairs; music stands and a variety of instruments. Lynn explained that this set-up ensures that everyone is included.

At these events, each member is a “musician.” Instrument selections range from guitars, keyboards, and a variety of percussion instruments. Percussion includes tambourines, hand bells, and egg-shaped shakers to snare & bass drums, to the more exotic: bongos, cabasas, conga drums and drums that mimic the sounds of the rainforests. Musicians are welcome to keep or change instruments as they desire. Those with vocal chops are encouraged to use microphones for singing. The night I attended (just as at each event) we played and sang at our level of expertise.

Lynn eagerly shared that Common Time welcomed Cincinnati Symphonic Orchestra members to one of their first events. Melodic Connections also offers weekly Common Time to Roll Hill Elementary in Fairmount, to increase relationships between its students and their parents as they learn to play guitar, keyboards and drum.

Through 15+ years of professional and personal contact with Betsey, I knew that night would be special. Betsey offered a warm welcome and shouted out our purposes for attending. Most wanted to make music and jam. Betsey introduced Common Time’s local musician of the evening, Jim Pelz, who sat in the center of the circle. Jim is a country-rock songwriter and performer who, when he’s not playing solo or with his band, Hickory Robot, sits in other local bands.

Lynn explained that each Common Time Musician of the Month goes through specialized training with Melodic Connections certified music therapists. As the purpose of the evening is community bonding first and foremost, music is fun but not perfect. Per website, “Music is the journey and not a destination.”

As Jim called out our first song, we grabbed our instruments, and were off to a robust start. The positive energy increased throughout the evening especially as more musicians, from young children to older adults, join the circle. Keeping up with finding the songs in the music book was challenging to me, as we covered a wealth of music of different styles and eras. Music ranged from the Beatles’, “Hey Jude,” to the Grateful Dead’s, “Ripple,” to Johnny Cash’s, “Folsom Prison Blues.”

Halfway through, we broke into circles of three. Betsey encouraged us to meet someone new during this time. We talked about what the event’s experience meant to us. My group was the exception of four as a young woman said that she was interested in meeting the musician sitting next to me. She liked his sporty red wheelchair and wanted to know more about him. He smiled and the two continued to talk. Everyone was having so much fun getting to know one another that there was hesitation with going back into the big group. Amy staid next to her new friend as we sang, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

The History

Melodic Connections, a 501(c3) has provided community musical experiences for more than 2000 individuals in special education classrooms, adult programs, after school classes, summer camps and through off-site partnerships. As a former high school music teacher and music therapist, Betsey started Melodic Connections in 2008 after recognizing that students with disabilities can learn best when provided with alternative supports and teaching methods. Not only does Betsey and her staff of 12 certified music therapists provide community opportunities for her musicians, but she is now connecting the community to the Melodic Connections family through Common Time.

My history with Betsey goes back into early 2000, when she was a Cincinnati Public high school music teacher. As a case worker, we shared a special needs student who has Autism, whose parents tried to home school. Attending this middle & high school was his introduction into public education and a culture shock from being in his small home. This teen was frightened and struggled with focus and learning until Betsey came into the picture. Staff marveled with how easily this music teacher included the teen with the other high school students through playing percussion. Betsey’s skills and attention provided him with first step in focusing and gaining the social and educational skills that he desperately needed.

Throughout our daily lives, we are so involved with our own reactions or insecurities in knowing how to reach out to others that we don’t take the time or effort to know one another. Common Time reinforces that cultural, language, abilities, lifestyles, and/or personal experiences are to be celebrated. On that night, I saw and felt us as “one” group without labels or differences. We were alike in sharing common ground in music and our communications.  As time ended, Betsey asked for evening observations. The group comments were, “Joy,” “Happiness,” “Friends,” and “Fun”. As I walked away still talking to others, I knew that I am a better person for this experience. I will return.

Everyone is welcome to join Melodic Connections studio on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 for the next Common Time with local musician, Dan Van Vechten, 9440 Plainfield Road, Cincinnati 45236.

Please visit Melodic Connection’s website for additional information on Common Time, classes and summer opportunities.