Volunteer to bring joy through music

COAST CITIES — Resounding Joy Inc. is looking for volunteers and offering classes in how to use music to help adults and children with special needs.
Based in Carmel Valley, Resounding Joy Inc. is a nonprofit agency that uses music to promote the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being of people throughout the county, from nursing home residents, older-adult daycare clients and infants of teen parents to homeless people and AIDS and HIV patients.
It trains a network of volunteers in the principles of music therapy and helps out at many faith- and community-based organizations. Volunteers will be trained from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 24 at a church in Solana Beach, from 9 a.m. to noon July 31 at a care facility in Carmel Valley, and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on a third date and location to be determined.
During the 12 hours of training and supervision, volunteers will learn recreational music-making techniques in drumming, rhythm and singing and how to work one-on-one or in groups to help reduce stress, improve physical fitness, encourage self-expression and foster camaraderie of those in need.
Prospective volunteers must commit to serving as “Joy Givers” at least four hours a month for the calendar year. They are not required to read music, play musical instruments or have trained voices.
Candidates should register online at www.resoundingjoyinc.org/pages/oregister.php. Resounding Joy will contact all approved volunteers and confirm the training locations. For more information, call (866) 800-0197.
Another three-class session will be held Oct. 23 and Oct. 30 and a third date is to be determined.