#NextStepFund Harnesses the Power of #MusicTherapy for Young Adults Coping with Life-Threatening Illness

CAMBRIDGE, MA, March 18, 2014 (Press-News.org) The non-profit organization Next Step is expanding its Song.Studio music therapy program by building a state-of-the-art recording studio to help teens and young adults with cancer, HIV and other life-threatening diseases write, record and perform their own songs. According to recent studies at Indiana University, music therapy has proven to improve coping strategies and assist in the management of illnesses for teens and young adults. The studio is under construction and slated to open in April in Central Square.

According to Director of Song.Studio, Kimberly Khare: "Music gives young people a culturally-relevant and non-threatening outlet to identify and communicate their emotions. For young people with life-threatening illnesses, so much is uncertain. Original song-writing and recording gives them a sense of control because it's based on their creative choices and their voice."

Those interested in supporting the Song.Studio and musical therapy program can attend the 6th Annual Next Step Spring Benefit and Celebration on Saturday March 29 at 7:30 at Walker Memorial Building on the MIT Campus, 142 Memorial Drive, Cambridge. The night's emcee is Fast Freddy Murphy of radio station Mix 104.1 and guests will also experience the inimitable sounds of Shun Ng of whom Quincy Jones said " His creativity and his uniqueness is astounding." Song.Studio musicians will perform throughout the night. To listen to a song recorded and performed by a Next Step youth participant, click here.

Event tickets are $75 through March 21 and can be purchased at NextStep or are available for $90 after March 21 and at the door. For more information call Next Step at 617-864-2921.

Next Step offers free education and support programs to teens and young adults living with life-threatening illness during their complicated transition to adulthood. Through conferences, mentoring, educational workshops, laughter and fun, Next Step helps young adults battling cancer, sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS and other illnesses to see beyond their illness, imagine what's possible, and take steps to get there. Next Step's "Song.Studio" connects youth with credentialed music therapists for song writing, recording, production workshops and performance of their music on a daily basis.

Their mission is to shatter limitations and elevate aspirations of teens and young adults living with life-threatening diseases. A Boston-area non-profit organization founded in 2001 with the support from late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman, Next Step provides support to youth and young adults, ages 16-30, who battle life-threatening chronic illness.

In addition, Next Step empowers young adults with important life skills, tools, and knowledge to effectively manage their illness and transition successfully into adulthood. The non-profit provides a community where participants feel safe, share personal life experiences, and connect with peers who truly understand their overwhelming challenges. Their youth leave Next Step with the tools and knowledge they need to begin asking, "what's next?" instead of "why me?"

To donate, volunteer or visit the Song.Studio program, please contact Next Step at nextstep@nextstepnet.org or visit www.nextstepnet.org for more information.

Contact: Bill Kubicek, Founder & Executive Director
617- 864- 2921; blk@nextstepnet.org

Next Step is a registered 501(c)3. All Next Step services and programs are provided at no cost to participants or their families. All donations to Next Step are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Tax ID# 04-3579298

Next Step
86A Sherman Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
www.nextstepnet.org
617.864.2921