Miami Lighthouse for the Blind

Better Chance Music Production Program™

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers an inclusive, innovative year-round music education initiative targeting sighted and visually impaired young adults, utilizing music appreciation, instruction and exploration as the tools to foster work readiness skills, and enhance self-efficacy and positive peer relations.

The Henry & Inez Stone Music & Sound Studio, located on the Gloria Martin Third Floor Wing, offers program participants an opportunity to learn the latest techniques with skilled music professionals, in a state-of-the-art setting.

The primary technology used by program participants is MIDI (Multiple Instrument Digital Interface), which enables electronic instruments such as a musical keyboard synthesizer, acoustic guitar, sampler, sequencer and drum machine from any manufacturer to communicate with one another and with a common computer.

Click here to read an article about the
Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™

“Mainstream Employment in Music Production for Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired: Development of a Model Training Program,” by Virginia Jacko, Harold Cobo, Antonio Cobo, Rachelle Fleming, and J. Elton Moore, in the Practice Perspectives section of the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, September 2010.

This valuable instruction is critical in today’s music industry, fostering independence and creativity as students manipulate music to produce viable compositions. Additional industry relevant technologies of the program include:

Cakewalk (Sonar) which converts a standard PC into a multi-track recording studio. This software is specifically used by the blind to interface with JAWS for Windows, a talking software that enables blind users to improve their productivity level by streamlining keyboard functions, automating commands, and eliminating repetition.
Pro Tools is an integration of hardware/software widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, mastering audio tracks; film scoring, television and post production.

Natalia Sulca, student in the acclaimed Miami Lighthouse music program, has been accepted by the competitive and prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Natalia has been a part of Miami Lighthouse for many years receiving vocational rehabilitation, including instruction in songwriting, music performance and production. Natalia is a talented singer and songwriter, and her compositions and performance have been featured on Miami Lighthouse CDs. Well on her way to a successful career in music, her story shows what a child at Miami Lighthouse can achieve. Congratulations Natalia, and best wishes for a bright future.

Click here to view a letter from an instructor at Dr. Michael Krop Senior High School.

In two years, music program students have recorded two CD’s: A Better Chance and It’s Not Impossible. All vocals and instrumentals on these two CD’s is original - written, performed and recorded by the students, with instruction by world-famous musician and song writer Antonio Cobo and certified MIDI instructor Harold Cobo.

To order a copy of A Better Chance or It’s Not Impossible, call the Miami Lighthouse Solutions Store at 786.362.7489.

To learn more information about the 2012 Summer Music Program please click here.

Parent Testimonials

Mr. Martinez,

My husband and I are very impressed with your organization. The services that you provide to the community are incredible. My son Hobie Benson enjoys going to your center to learn and serve in the community each opportunity he can. Your music program has enhanced Hobie’s music talents and he is grateful to be part of The Miami Lighthouse.

The staff at your center shows professionalism and commitment to the community and to the children involved in the summer program and also the program during the school year on the weekends.

Thank you for taking your position at the Lighthouse with such effort and consideration to others.

I would recommend this program to any friends with a score of Excellency.

Please reach out to me whenever you need anything for the center.

Jenny Benson, RN, BSN, CCRP
University of Miami Health System
Inpatient Unit-Research Services
1475 N.W. 12 Avenue, Suite 2076
Miami, Fl 33136
j.benson2@med.miami.edu
305-724-7760

www.thechildrenstrust.org

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired – Better Chance Music Production Program™
is funded by the Children’s Trust



	Florida Heiken Program

	José Feliciano accepts high school diploma and speaks about Braille literacy at the Miami Lighthouse 80th Anniversary Ruby Jubilee Dinner Concert

	The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Co-Chair, Congressional Vision Caucus Mistress of Ceremonies Miami Lighthouse 80th Anniversary Ruby Jubilee Dinner Concert Speaks about Miami Lighthouse programs

	The Blind Visionary All of Virginia’s royalties and part of the publisher’s royalty income will be donated to blind services at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Click to read Ability Magazine

	Low Vision Center

Miami Lighthouse first sought and received NAC accreditation in 1978 and has consistently achieved NAC accreditation to the present time having received seven commendations with its five year accreditation renewal.

Miami Lighthouse ranks among the elite 4% of U.S. nonprofits having earned a 4-star rating for five consecutive years from Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier independent nonprofit evaluator. Receiving such a distinction reflects our sound fiscal management, responsible use of donor dollars, and financial strength.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious South Florida Business Journal 2011 Excellence in Health Care Award in the Community Outreach category.

Miami Lighthouse honored by being named the recipient of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 2010 Non-Profit Business Diamond Award.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2008 Concern Award from Health Foundation of South Florida.

Miami Lighthouse received United Homecare’s 2012 Thelma Gibson Community Service Award at the 18th Annual Claude Pepper Memorial Awards Ceremony.

Miami Lighthouse's Heiken Children's Vision Program received the bronze medal for their service to thousands of under-served children in public schools at the 2012 Miami Today Gold Medal Awards Ceremony.