We had so much fun at our Spring Recital last week! Check out what a KEYS Recital is all about! BIG THANKS to our performers, families, volunteers, and awesome crew! Thank you all for the wonderful performances and SMILES! It's all about the SMILES! KEYS Spring Recital 2025

We are so excited to celebrate Carter with our KEYS Kiddos SMILE Spotlight! We'll also be celebrating SMILES for Carter next Tuesday with our In-Person SMILE Concert at The KEYS Studios! Learn a little more about Carter! Favorite family activity - family movie/game night My hobbies/interests - soccer What I'm best at - soccer What/who makes me laugh - Daddy The silliest thing I've ever done - put Nutella on toilet paper and tricked my mom What I could teach someone - how to be kind Who is my hero and why - my family because they are always there for me My biggest blessing - having an angel sissy always with me YOU ROCK CARTER! Free In-Person SMILE Concert https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/3faffab5-6b97-470f-935c-7434abef5129/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/free-in-person-smile-concert-3

It's #VolunteerMonth and this month for our smile spotlight we wanted to thank all of our wonderful volunteers! Check out just a few of the amazing ways our volunteers provide SMILES to our community! Interested in becoming a volunteer? Contact us at info@thekeysprogram.org We Love Our Volunteers!!!

Cancer Survivorship Benefit Concert Saturday, May 31, 2025 The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley, Oneida Health and The KEYS Program are partnering to celebrate Cancer Survivorship! Through the StayStrong Survivorship Program held at the YMCA, cancer survivors are surrounded with physical, mental and spiritual support to help them stay strong during the process while they battle the disease. This collaboration is working to expand these services to YOUTH survivors in our region and their families. Learn more here

Registration is open for our Spring Music Together Group! for ages 0-5 Saturday mornings starting April 5th more info: https://www.thekeysprogram.org/music-and-movement-for-kiddos to register: https://www.thekeysprogram.org/registration-form

Introducing our KEYS Kids SMILE Spotlight! This month we're celebrating Aiden and Lexi! 1. What is your favorite family activity? A: family game night L: My favorite family activity is bowling! It gets us out of the house as a family and is different from our usual game nights. 2. My hobbies/interests A: video games and Legos L: My hobbies consist of painting, drawing, color guard, and playing or singing music! 3. What I'm best at A: computers or technology  L: I'm best and accomplishing things I strive for, like the principal's list or getting a solo. 4. What makes me laugh A: comedians like Fluffy and John Pinette  L: My music teacher makes me laugh! She always knows how to lighten the mood and make everyone feel welcome. 5. The silliest thing I've ever done A: when I was about four years old, we received a snowman kit, and I ran around dressed as the snowman L: The silliest thing I've done was when i was 4; I put my puppy in the freezer because he was getting more attention than me. 6. What I could teach someone A: how to adapt to your circumstances  L: One thing I think I could teach someone would be how to live in the moment and really look around and see how much they have and be extremely grateful for how blessed they are.  7. Who is your hero and why? A: my parents for being my biggest supporters L: My hero is my grandma. She was such a strong woman and pushed through so many obstacles. She always made people laugh and was always supportive of everyone's beliefs and dreams.  8. My biggest blessings A: my family and the time we spend together and support we share for one another L: My biggest blessings are my family, friends, and community. They are all always there to pick me up when I fall, and they are super fun to be around. YOU ROCK Aiden and Lexi!!!!

Join us this week for Autism Awareness Week! We will be doing something different each day to bring awareness to the experience of autistic individuals! Check back throughout the month for more on Autism Acceptance from our music therapists and SMILE crew!

Join us a for a FREE IN PERSON concert at The KEYS Studios featuring Colgate Key Notes with SMILES for Carter! Tuesday, April 29th, 2025  6:00 pm EST @ The KEYS Studio  181 Kenwood Ave, Oneida, NY This event is adapted for sensory needs and open to all! If you can't make it in person, join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KEYSProgram/ Bring a friend and enjoy some great music and big smiles! This concert is made possible thanks to our wonderful sponsors: NYS Council on the Arts, Yorkville Battery, Community Carwash, and Primerica: Michelle Shauger! Free In-Person SMILE Concert https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/3faffab5-6b97-470f-935c-7434abef5129/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/free-in-person-smile-concert-3

Come see what we've been working on this Winter and Spring! Friday, May 9th, at 6pm The KEYS Studios 181 Kenwood Ave, Oneida, NY Spring Recital https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/d3da5338-0204-488d-8385-b36c07f0f526/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/spring-recital

This month we are so excited to spotlight our fearless leader, Colleen Bennett, KEYS Executive Director and Founder! THANK YOU Colleen for all you do! What is your primary instrument, and when did you start playing? Piano is my primary instrument. My first instrument was saxophone that I started to play when I was in 4th grade---and played throughout school and college---but my favorite has always been the piano. My parents were able to buy our family a piano when I was 13 and I have been playing almost every day ever since! :) What are some of your favorite things to do outside of KEYS? I love to spend time with my family and friends, playing with my grandsons, camping, watching the races with Dave, writing music, and baking treats for my family.  (They love my no bake cookies best! :) What are you most proud of since starting KEYS?  I am most proud of the amazing staff, volunteers, donors and board members who have all shared in our mission of smiles for so many years, many of who are now lifelong friends. We couldn't have created so many smiles over the years without each and every person who has worked hard to make sure our KEYS kids are supported and loved.  I am forever grateful, honored and proud to have them be a part of the KEYS family. :) How did you come up with the phrase “it’s all about the smiles”?  About 10 years ago, we had just lost 5 of our KEYS kids to cancer, including my cousin Paulie, within just a few months of each other and everyone on our crew was feeling emotionally overwhelmed. They were looking to me for advice and guidance on how to keep moving forward to support our KEYS families during this very difficult time. All I could think of was the beautiful smiling faces of our KEYS kids, and said,  "Although we can't take away their illness and pain, we CAN help them through this difficult journey by surrounding them with love, and bringing light, joy and smiles into their lives. After all...it's all about the smiles!"  Today, the slogan is our mantra at KEYS, and reminds us each day, why we do what we do.  :) Do you have any favorite songs or artists? The Dance by Garth Brooks, In My Life by the Beatles, Brave and Kind by SIRSY,  For You and For Me by Donna Mucks. Some of my favorite artists are: James Taylor, Carole King, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks/Trisha Yearwood, Lady Gaga, Queen, Two Friends and SIRSY ! Learn more about Colleen and the rest of our crew: https://www.thekeysprogram.org/meet-our-crew

If you missed our Smile Concert last night, check out the replay here! Thank you to Two Friends for an awesome night of SMILES! This concert was made possible by NY Council on the Arts, Yorkville Battery, and Sherrill Dental Arts! https://www.facebook.com/donna.mucks/videos/622876403841426

Save the Date! We will be having our Spring Recital at The KEYS Studios on May 9th at 6pm! Come see what we've been working on this winter and spring and celebrate our progress! Spring Recital https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/d3da5338-0204-488d-8385-b36c07f0f526/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/spring-recital

Join us for our next Music and Wellness Workshop! Friday, April 4th, 6:30pm Group Studio at Hal Welsh East Area YMCA 200 Towne Dr, Fayetteville, NY This workshop is for those impacted by cancer to bring needed time for self care and restoration. Participants will take part in music-based experiences such as music-assisted relaxation exercises, music-supported meditation, and guided imagery to promote stress management, resilience, and creative exploration. Live and recorded music will be used. *No prior music experience or knowledge is necessary to participate! This is a FREE event! Registration is required: email Sue Montminy at smontminy@ymcacny.org facilitated by a board-certified music therapist at The KEYS Program https://www.ymcacny.org/locations/northwest-family-ymca Music and Wellness Workshop https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/bacb584d-a87b-40d7-b8e0-257b120130ac/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/music-and-wellness-workshop-17

THANK YOU to everyone who wore their hearts this February! ❤️ Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve 2025

Join us at The KEYS Studio for a LIVE in-person FREE SMILE concert! Featuring music from Two Friends! If you can't make it in person, join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KEYSProgram/ Bring a friend and enjoy some great music and big smiles!  This concert is made possible thanks to our wonderful sponsors: NYS Council on the Arts, Yorkville Battery, and Sherrill Dental Arts! Free In-Person SMILE Concert https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/d9d9aa75-5b76-4115-bf7d-0082bb9cbeac/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/free-in-person-smile-concert-2

This month we are so excited to spotlight our amazing interns, Emily and Danielle! Emily: Where are you from? I am from Westmoreland, NY How did KEYS come into your life?  KEYS came into my life when I met one of our music therapists, Amanda. I completed my second practicum with Amanda, and had mentioned how I enjoyed doing music therapy with children. She connected me with Adrienne, and before I knew it, I had an interview and became an intern at KEYS! I have loved every second of it!  How long have you been with KEYS? I have only been with KEYS since July of 2024, but I’m hoping that KEYS will continue to be a part of my life for years to come!  What is your favorite thing about working at KEYS?  My favorite thing about KEYS is the endless support that I receive everyday from all of the staff. No matter what I need, everyone is there for me. I also really appreciate the love and support from the KEYS families. It’s such an amazing opportunity getting to work with their kiddos every week, and I’m grateful for the trust they have for me. I don’t know where I would be without KEYS. Everyone has helped me grow immensely.  Do you have a favorite song/artist?  My current favorite song and artist is Wildflower by Billie Eilish.  Fun facts!   A fun fact about me is that I’ve been getting into playing golf, and I’m hoping Danielle will teach me some of her impressive skills!  Danielle: Where are you from?  Taberg, NY How did KEYS come into your life?  I started gifting CDs from my band to KEYS and have been a volunteer ever since! Now I am a music therapy intern with KEYS.  How long have you been with KEYS? Over 10 years What is your favorite thing about working at KEYS?  Getting to make a difference with my music Do you have a favorite song/artist?  That is too hard to choose! I like so many songs and artists.  Fun facts!  I golf, and I was on the golf team for all of my years at Nazareth College. I used to make hair scrunchies and sell them to raise funds for KEYS THANK YOU Emily and Danielle for all you do for KEYS! Learn more about our interns and the rest of our crew!

Snow day today? No worries!! Because the schools are closed in our area due to the snow storm and with the winter break next week, we are extending our Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve Day to last until the end of February---so folks can wear their hearts anytime during the month of February! We would LOVE to see those photos of hearts today ---but no worries if you can't participate today--- folks have the rest of the month to join in the love and smiles! Because we've extended the event hearts can still be purchased online! Wear Your Heart 2025 https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/46b2a7a4-200e-4fdd-8c13-6202652e5033/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/wear-your-heart-2025

Wednesday, March 5th, 6:30pm The Kaye Center for Cancer Wellness 8040 River Rd, Baldwinsville, NY USA This workshop is for those impacted by cancer to bring needed time for self care and restoration. Participants will take part in music-based experiences such as music-assisted relaxation exercises, music-supported meditation, and guided imagery to promote stress management, resilience, and creative exploration. Live and recorded music will be used. *No prior music experience or knowledge is necessary to participate! This is a FREE event! Registration is required, email Sue Montminy at smontminy@ymcacny.org Music and Wellness Workshop https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/c8637e06-9baf-40f3-ade6-7cd47d45b9fc/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/music-and-wellness-workshop-16

Check out our new blog post Exploring Black Influences in the Music of Today, written by KEYS Music Therapy Intern, Emily Sturgeon! https://www.thekeysprogram.org/post/exploring-black-influence-in-the-music-of-today

Join us at The KEYS Studio for a LIVE in-person FREE SMILE concert! Featuring music from The Colgate Key Notes! If you can't make it in person, join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colgatekeynotes Bring a friend and enjoy some great music and big smiles!  This concert is made possible thanks to our wonderful sponsors: NYS Council on the Arts, John Froass & Son, and Community Carwash! Free In-Person SMILE Concert https://www.wix.app/events/aec62cc9-fda8-479f-8353-96ee777832f8/efe33fe1-faa5-41d7-a32b-fa256c060b6f/details?d=https://www.thekeysprogram.org/event-details/free-in-person-smile-concert