MISSION
To raise awareness of the positive impact music has on deaf and hard-of-hearing and the use of music education as a catalyst to improve academic achievement, motivation for learning, and self-confidence.
VISION
Music to Your Ears believes:
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Every deaf and hard-of-hearing child deserves access to quality music education, taught by qualified and well-trained music teachers
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Music as a tool to enhance children’s academic performance in other key areas, including math, science and language arts.
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Remove the stereotypes placed on the deaf/HH by educating the public, deaf/HH community and music educators of the benefits music has on the deaf/HH.
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
Justin Osmond and 8 year old Matthew, both profoundly deaf, play a violin duet after only 5 months of Matthew taking lessons. Both Matthew and Justin haven't let their challenges keep them from reaching their dream of playing the violin.
The violin and lessons were donated to Matthew from our sister organization, The Hearing Fund UK - Olive Osmond's dream. The Olive Osmond Hearing Fund and The Hearing Fund UK are working to further its mission to "Bring Music to Your Ears".
Music to Your Ears was established in direct response to the growing number of deaf and hard-of-hearing children that do not have the resources available to them to pursue music. The goal of this program is to educate the public and professionals of the positive impact music has on the deaf/HH and provide the opportunity for children with a hearing loss to learn to play an instrument, sing and/or entertain. The focus is to empower the deaf/HH youth through the benefits of music and to overcome their challenges and reach their greatest potential.
The OOHF’s founder and CEO, Justin Osmond, knows firsthand the experiences, benefits and impact that music has on the deaf community. Justin himself is deaf with a 90% hearing loss. Despite his profound loss, Justin has gone on to become an award winning violinist. He also plays the drums, piano and viola. He exemplifies exactly what the OOHF is trying to accomplish with the Music to Your Ears program. Justin travels the world inspiring the deaf/HH youth to overcome their challenges and reach their greatest potential.
Music to Your Ears focuses primarily on children ages 18 and under to give these children the best opportunity to benefit from music. This age group is where the biggest difference can be made; early intervention has shown dramatic benefits to developing language and spatial-temporal skills. Research has found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas.
For more information, or to see if you qualify, please contact Vicki Wartman
