Melodic Connections seeks funding for new storytelling podcast

It’s been two weeks since flash flooding unexpectedly destroyed the possessions and changed the lives of many Cincinnatians.

Melodic Connections, a community music therapy studio, lost all of its instruments and is now in the process of searching for a new and permanent home, as its former facility was destroyed in the flooding.
 
Thanks to generous donations from the nonprofit’s supporters, however, the organization has been able to restore all instruments and resume programming and lessons in a temporary location at LADD, Inc.
 
“Community support is telling us that we must continue our work,” says Betsey Zenk-Nuseibeh, Melodic Connections’ executive director.
 
That work includes music therapy via lessons and opportunities for performance, but also unique activities like “Hero Radio. Stories Beyond the Music.” — an original podcast created by members of Melodic Connections’ adult conservatory and Mount St. Joseph University students. The podcast profiles well-known musicians with Cincinnati roots.
 
"This project will make great strides in advocating for the abilities of individuals with different learning needs,” Zenk-Nuseibeh says. “By using a storytelling medium that people are so familiar with, we know that listeners will get ‘hooked’ and return for a weekly reminder that different is not less.”
 
The service learning opportunity allows adult conservatory members to not only collaborate with others, but to also practice interviewing and storytelling skills, while composing an original piece of music and visual art — not to mention recording and editing audio.
 
“Our vision requires a quality end product, and that's where our financial need lies,” Zenk-Nuseibeh says, who recognizes the tough place the nonprofit is in fiscally. It needs a facility for daily operations but also funding to launch the podcast series. 
 
If Melodic Connections can raise $15,000 for the podcast seres by Dec. 1, the organization will receive a matching grant, increasing the total to $30,000.
 
“We need additional funding to boost our recording capabilities so that our participants' voices are not just heard, but heard loudly and clearly,” Zenk-Nuseibeh says. “And so their message comes through with no interference."

Do Good: 

•    Support Melodic Connections by donating to its disaster relief fund. More than $50,000 is still needed to secure a new facility for operations.

•    Contact Melodic Connections to learn how you can help the nonprofit launch its podcast series.

•    Learn more about the podcast series, and check out the theme song that has already been created by Melodic Connections' students.