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Arts & Entertainment

Music Academy for Special Learners Presents its Annual Recital

Children with autism and other special needs showcase talents.

in Ronkonkoma presented its third annual recital at The Setauket Neighborhood House.

While several performances took place there over the weekend, that also included traditional students from the Kane Piano Studio in Nesconset, in addition to special needs musicians, the "Special Learners Only" show was held on Sunday morning.

The special children who take part in the art program at the academy were able to have their creative projects on display throughout the two days. Sunday's performance featured the remarkable accomplishments of 13 children with autism and various other disabilities.  One student played electric guitar, while the others were skilled on the piano.

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Maria LaMon runs The Music Academy for Special Learners.  She went back to school at 40 to get her Master's Degree in Special Education, and started researching music and its positive effects on children with special needs.  LaMon undoubtedly found her calling.  After working out of the home of Sandra Kane of the Kane Piano Studio, she slowly expanded, and finally opened her own school which continues to grow and evolve.

There are currently 50 students enrolled between the music and art programs.

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"It has helped kids in so many aspects of self-esteem, fine motor skills, eye and hand coordination, language and just the whole well being of the child," said LaMon.

Benjamen Blanchet, 5, from Kings Park, is autistic, and the youngest pupil at the academy.

"Ben's whole world connects with a pitch," said LaMon of the young boy with perfect pitch. "He associates every sound he hears with a note on the piano."

His mother, Angela Blanchet, related a story about his aunt asking Ben if the bell on his new bike goes "ding dong." 

To which the precocious prodigy replied, "No, it goes F-sharp."

Ben has not only uncovered a hidden aptitude for music, but has also reaped other far-reaching benefits from his time under the tutelage of LaMon and the other teachers at the academy.

"His attention has improved.  His fine motor skills have improved, which a lot of these kids have trouble with, his handwriting is so much better," said Blanchet.  "When he started with Maria he would sit for a minute, now he sits for a whole session.  After he plays, he has an increase in language.  It organizes him."

While Ben's exceptional musical gifts are not typical, his improvements after working with the patient and knowledgeable staff at the school are.

Emma Katapodis, 17, from St. James is nonverbal and legally blind with profound hearing loss. Astonishingly, she can play music by ear.

"She's learning to read music, and learning to play.  It gives her an extra activity to do at home.  It's a very nurturing environment at the school," said her mother Jennifer.  "They all have so many different needs, and all the kids learn differently.  They take information differently, and get distracted easily.  The teachers work through each distraction to help them learn."

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