Williams Syndrome Association Holiday Gala

Music, Food, festivities, fun, and friends!

Through song, movement, instruments, bubbles, and scarves, everyone had a chance to walk in the winter wonderland at this annual holiday event. 

We were honored to provide this interactive music experience for the Williams Syndrome Association-Canyon Region at the Salk Institute Lab for Cognitive Neuroscience on December 15, 2012 in San Diego. 

This year Coast Music Therapy team members Vanessa Contopulos, MT-BC and Laura Anderson, MT-BC were joined by accomplished drummer and former student, AJ Arciniega for this joyful jubilee.  AJ Arciniega, who is also the drummer for youth services for The Church at Rancho Bernardo, helped co-lead the musical festivities with his shining spirit and musical passion.

The afternoon was filled with holiday-themed music activities. Bubbles replaced snow in Southern California during “Let it Snow and Winder Wonderland.” Attendees shared their vocal talents on the microphone during ‘Feliz Navidad.’ For our big finale we expanded “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” into “We Wish You a Happy Chanukah” and “We Wish You a Happy Kwanzaa” (and a happy New year!)  

Learn more about Williams Syndrome and the benefits of music:

• Five Tips: Music Therapy and Williams Syndrome Printable PDF
• Music and Williams Syndrome Research
• How Music Therapy Can Help Kids and Teens with Williams Syndrome