Access to Joy:
Music for All Abilities
Access to Joy, chronicles the creation of three projects in the last year:
An inclusive chorus for developmentally disabled adults and their support staff
Two after-school children’s choruses in Worcester Public Housing’s Plumley Village and Great Brook Valley.
And the beginning of offering specifically neurodiverse lessons at Worcester’s Joy Of Music Program.
The story of ASPiRE CHOiR - In singer’s own words.
ASPiRE! CHOiR! is an inclusive singing group of adults in the ASPiRE! day program and those who assist them. We are a collaborative group, focusing on members’ strengths. Choir members listen to each other to create our unique joyful sound, and to discover what music is meaningful to each of us. A substantial part of our repertoire comes directly from singers’ passions and suggestions. Making music together helps build and support the community of belonging that ASPiRE! creates for life-long learners.
Plumley Village Chorus and Great Brook Valley Chorus
Description coming soon…
Joy Of Music Program Neurodiverse Aware Learning
Description coming soon…
Nan AK Gibbons
Nan AK Gibbons is a choral director, teacher, storyteller, composer, visual artist, and listener. She collaborates to build musical communities of support, learning, artistic excellence, and belonging. She earned a MEd in Music from Lesley University, and a MA in Theology and the Arts concentrating in Pastoral Care from Andover Newton Theological School. In addition to ASPiRE CHOiR, Ms Gibbons directs Shir Joy Chorus, West Concord Union Church’s Young People’s Music, Plumley Village Chorus, Great Brook Valley Chorus; and teaches individual students, Sing Circle BOOM! Children’s Choir, and other classes with Worcester’s Joy of Music Program in Worcester. Ms Gibbons also facilitates intergenerational drum circles and singing sessions for groups and private events.
In addition to musical endeavors, she teaches and hosts writing groups, especially with Ninja Writers, and Art as Prayer events.