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| The Naturals Craig Christiansen, Dan Massey, Terry Bracey and Maurice Snell will be the main support for the band with assistance from various children. Maurice, Terry and most of the children participating have autism.
Here are some audio clips of their awesomeness! Here’s the breakdown of who’s doing what…
Here are some news stories about them....
Here is their bio... The Naturals How it all began... Creative Exchange Music Therapy Clinic was developed as an innovative and model communication program that serves primarily individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The highly individualized therapeutic approach relies on the use of current best practice, research based interventions including; Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), DIR/Floor Time (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based), Social Stories, Sensory Integration, Relationship Developmental Intervention (RDI), Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS), Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and Prevention, Behavior Modification, and various listening therapy programs. All of our music therapists are board certified. Creative Exchange Music Foundation was created as an additional support vehicle for the clinic and serves to promote community awareness and facilitate fund raising to offset the cost of our services to our clients. Craig and Kari Christiansen have been honored with opportunities to meet and musically connect with thousands of people. They began working together in 1994 and then incorporated Creative Exchange Music Therapy Clinic in 1998. Connecting musically with a person with autism can be an exciting, profound, and nearly inexplicable experience. Astonished to discover the hidden talent of many clients, Craig and Kari realized that there was a unique opportunity to share this with others. Most importantly, public performance was a logical next step in our clients therapeutic progress and personal growth. Thus, the creation of The Naturals. Introducing the Naturals... Terry Bracey Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Terry attributes his success to the unconditional love and support of his Grandmother and his church. Currently the choir director and organist for his entire church, and Music Therapy Assistant (Creative Exchange Music Therapy Clinic) Terry is thrilled to share his musical gifts with many. Despite challenges associated with his autism, Terry has found his focus and talent in music. “I hear music in my heart, I memorize it and then I play it,” Terry says, describing his musical connection. He was non-verbal until the age of eight and he has never taken any formal music lesson. Terry is gifted with perfect pitch and he is able to replicate any instrument in any part of any song with his voice and keyboard. These extraordinary talents led to a job with Creative Exchange Music Therapy Clinic where he assists Board Certified Music Therapists in their work with people with autism and other disabilities. Terry plays the keyboard, sings lead and back up vocals and adds various percussive accents here and there for The Naturals. Maurice Snell Guided by the love and support of his family, Maurice Snell has not only overcome many challenges associated with his autism, he has also graduated from St. Xavier University with high honors obtaining a bachelor degree in Liberal Arts with minors in Spanish and Music. He lives in Chicago with his family and he is currently the Easter Seals National 2007 Adult Representative, providing him opportunities to travel extensively and share his success with many. In addition to his many talents, Maurice is blessed with perfect pitch. Non-verbal until he was eight years old, it is remarkable that he is so versatile with regard to sound. “Being NATURAL is who we are. Music helps to relieve tension and stress and soothes my soul.” Maurice strives to help others with autism maximize their potential in life by sharing his experiences with them, often offering his advice and wisdom during performances. “To all of the parents of children with autism, I ask that you never give up. Your love and support will help them to be the best they can be.” Maurice plays the synthesizer, eloquently adding a little bit of everything, and he sings lead and back up vocals for The Naturals. Dan Massey A Chicago native, Dan Massey has been drumming since he was eight years old. He plays with the likes of Jon Langford, Robbie Fulks and Phil Lee and also teaches privately. With his wife Jeanne and their son, Roy, the Massey family moved to Brookfield, Illinois, in hopes of one day seeing an escapee from the famed zoo. He’s a happy-to-stay-at-home dedicated Dad, immersed in the pursuit to understand autism. Through this excursion, Roy led his father to Creative Exchange Music Therapy Clinic. His personal relationship with music, coupled with first hand experience witnessing the profound effects Music Therapy interventions can provide, Dan has graciously offered his percussive talents to assist in the formation and coordination of The Naturals. Craig Christiansen Drawn to music at an early age, Craig’s favorite childhood activity was spinning Beatles records and harmonizing along with them. He began playing the trumpet at the age of ten and is self taught on guitar, bass and piano. Craig graduated, with honors, from Western Illinois University with a degree in Music Therapy. Craig is a Board Certified Music Therapist and he has been working with children and adolescents with autism and emotional/behavioral difficulties since 1993. Craig was awarded a gold record for his participation on Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. He has also played with The Autumn Defense, Chris Mills, Mike Cruz, Cross Cooks and several solo projects with contributions from Glenn Kotche. Craig plays the bass, the guitar and sings lead and back up vocals for The Naturals. Craig, Kari, and their boys, Carter and Noah live in Westchester, Illinois with their dog, Jack. They provide the equipment, practice space, management and coordination of The Naturals. They also provide quality dinners, a great selection of PS2 games (for Maurice), access to CD downloads (for Terry) and an organic garden (for Dan).
Where you can see them next... The Dixon 2008 Autism Conference July 2008 Historic Dixon Theater, Dixon, Illinois Presentations by Dr. Temple Grandin & Dr. Tony Atwood with the young adult panel Sponsored by Future Horizons Publishing and Kreider Services Autism Kinship Moms Night Out September 12th, 2008
Glenkirk 11th Annual Benefit Brunch November 2008
Where they have been... May 18th, 2008 Soldier Field
May 3rd, 2008
Naperville Open Doors: Building Independence in the Community
April 19th, 2008
Missouri
April 3rd, 2008
Great Lakes and Midwest Region AMTA Conference Opening Session
March 7th, 2008
conference February 13th, 2008
AT
FOR Chicago Children's Theatre AND
Glenkirk 10th Annual Benefit Brunch November 11th, 2007 11am
Autism Society of Illinois Annual Golf Event Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 Autism Society of Illinois 30th Annual Conference With Carol Gray Friday, November 2nd Autism Society of Illinois John Hancock Golf Fund Raiser Friday, September 28th, 2007 Easter Seals National: Walk With Me Brookfield Zoo Saturday, September 15th, 2007
The Dixon 2007 Autism Conference July 27th, 2007 Historic Dixon Theater, Dixon, Illinois Presentations by Carol Gray, Carol Kranowitz and Sean Barron with the young adult panel Sponsored by Future Horizons Publishing and Kreider Services
Autism One Conference May 23-27, 2007 The Westin O'Hare Hotel
Autism Awareness Media Event May 4th, 2007
Annual Autism Kinship Moms Night Out May 4th, 2007
Greenfestival Chicago... April 21st, 2007
March 2nd, 2007 Walk the Walk: A day in the life of a child with special needs.
Contact Kari Christiansen for more information.... Kari@CreativeExchangeMusic.com 708-345-6100
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