Lori Hamrick and April Rooks - Music As Medicine

Harmonizing Body, Mind & Spirit: Music as Medicine for Patients and Kids

During this episode of North Georgia Business Radio, we’re taking a deep dive into the unexpected world of music’s healing powers.

You won’t believe how vibrations and sound can impact the body. And it’s not just about entertainment or therapy. Discover a surprising frontier where music interacts with brains and bodies, pushing boundaries in ways you never imagined.

Our guests today are Lori Hamrick, a Certified Music Practitioner from the Live Therapeutic Music Department at Northeast Georgia Health System, and April Rooks, the founder of Amped Kids Foundation.

Lori’s expertise lies in utilizing music to create a calm environment for patients, funded by the Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation,

Her work, funded by the Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation, aims to alleviate patients’ stress and improve their ability to handle medical intervention.

April’s passion for positively impacting the lives of foster and adopted youth through healing music programs is truly inspiring.

With over 20 years of experience in teaching vocal and piano lessons, April has witnessed the profound effects of music therapy on children, highlighting the therapeutic power of music in empowering individuals and fostering healing.

The profound role of music in mental health is evident in the transformative experiences shared by Lori and April. Music serves as a powerful tool for emotional expression and empowerment, particularly for children facing traumatic experiences. Music has the potential to foster resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being in individuals of all ages.

Highlights Of The Show

0:02:09 – Live Therapeutic Music Program at Northeast Georgia Health System
Lori Hamrick discusses the Live Therapeutic Music Program, which aims to create a calm environment for patients using trained and certified music practitioners to respond to patients’ physical and emotional needs through music.

00:11:27 – The Healing Power of Music
April Rooks explains the mission of Amped Kids foundation to positively impact the lives of foster and adopted youth through healing music programs, such as free access to music lessons, instruments, and songwriting workshops.

00:13:45 – Music as a Tool for Emotional Resilience
April Rooks emphasizes the role of music in building emotional resilience in children by providing a platform for expressing emotions, creating a sense of safety and agency, and fostering confidence to navigate life’s challenges.

00:17:08 – The Power of Music in Healing
April and Lori discuss the power of music as a tool for expression and healing, particularly for children who have experienced trauma. They emphasize the importance of providing children with a sense of agency and control through music.

00:18:56 – Impact of Trauma on Children
The conversation delves into the devastating effects of trauma on children’s health and social development, as evidenced by studies such as the AcE studies. Early interventions through music therapy can help empower children and lead to positive outcomes such as higher graduation rates and reduced violence.

00:20:39 – The Humanities and Holistic Education
Lori highlights the importance of humanities education, suggesting a correlation between the defunding of arts in education and the rise of social ills. They discuss the value of a well-rounded education that includes music, arts, and physical activity to nurture holistic development.

00:25:53 – The Connection Between Music and Academics
The conversation explores the correlation between music education and academic success, citing the impact of music on cognitive development and learning. They emphasize the importance of incorporating music into education for well-rounded development.

00:30:51 – Supporting AMPED Kids
April shares ways for the community to support AMP Kids, including donations, volunteering as music instructors or songwriters, and spreading awareness through social media. They invite individuals to contribute to the organization’s mission of providing music therapy for children in need.

00:34:54 – The Power of Music Therapy
Lori and April discuss the impact of sound and electrical waves on our bodies, and the potential for music therapy to unlock memories and movement in patients with dementia and stroke victims.

00:36:49 – Music Therapy vs. Entertainment
The conversation delves into the distinction between music therapy and entertainment, emphasizing the therapeutic power of live music for non-responsive patients, including those with advanced dementia and stroke victims.

00:38:55 – The Healing Power of Music
The discussion highlights the transformative effect of music on patients, revealing how it can facilitate movement and evoke memories, ultimately showcasing the potential of music as a therapeutic tool.

00:39:39 – Embracing the Arts for Healing
Lori and April express excitement about the evolving societal openness to utilizing the arts for therapeutic purposes, emphasizing the collaborative efforts to explore new aspects of sound, vibrations, and healing through music.