Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute Receives $75,000 Grant From the NAMM Foundation

The Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute (YMWI) has received a $75,000 grant from the NAMM Foundation for groundbreaking research to be conducted under the umbrella of the Karl T. Bruhn Memorial Research Fund.

 NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond made the check presentation on behalf of the Foundation to YMWI at a special presentation held on October 5th at Yamaha Corporation of America’s headquarters in Buena Park, California. The majority of the grant will be used to fund a research project led by YMWI CEO, President and Director Barry Bittman, MD, titled, “Upper Extremity Rehabilitation for Non-Musician Stroke Patients Utilizing a Novel Keyboard Approach.”

“The Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute is very grateful to the NAMM Foundation for this generous grant that will enable the Institute to develop musical instrument protocols to aid stroke victims in a meaningful way,” said Terry Lewis, Chairman of the Institute. “This is exemplary of the Foundation’s commitment to support projects that explore the impact of active music making during various stages of life and to educate people of all ages about the proven benefits of playing music, and a worthy tribute to Karl Bruhn for his pioneering work.”

“NAMM congratulates the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute on this grant that celebrates the life and legacy of Karl as a visionary leader in the musical products industry,” said Lamond. “We look forward to sharing the progress and outcomes of this important research initiative.”

The YMWI research project will be conducted under the direction of Neil Cherian, MD, otoneurologist, Director of Performance Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and Chairman of the YMWI Professional Advisory Board. According to Cherian, “the full potential for active music-making in the clinical setting to help restore brain function remains virtually unexplored.  Working with Dr. Bittman and our occupational therapy team affords a unique opportunity to determine the impact of a keyboard-based tool for restoring function in patients who are undergoing rehab for strokes.”

“From a research perspective, we are extremely pleased with this opportunity to determine whether or not creative musical expression can help to improve outcomes for non-musicians receiving occupational therapy for strokes,” noted Bittman. “For individuals facing the challenges of post-stroke rehabilitation, the process is often both challenging and arduous.  We believe that adding an enjoyable, music-making strategy to conventional outpatient occupational therapy has substantial potential to enhance overall treatment outcomes.”

Bruhn is widely acknowledged as the “Father of Music Making and Wellness” and was a tireless advocate of Recreational Music Making.

Bruhn was a long time senior executive at Yamaha Corporation of America; the first Director of Market Development for NAMM, and Chairman of YMWI from its inception in 2005 until his passing on October 5, 2010.

While serving as YMWI’s first Chairman, Bruhn and Bittman championed the initial and ongoing research that established Recreational Music Making as an effective wellness strategy.

All contributions to the Karl T. Bruhn Memorial Research Fund are used exclusively for research and may not be allocated for operational expenses. For IRS purposes, YMWI, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization with a Tax ID # (20-3873790). Donations to YMWI are tax deductible as a charitable contribution to the extent permitted by law.

The Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute is headquartered at 18201 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335. For more information, please call 814.333.5061 or visit www.yamahainstitute.org.

About Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute (YMWI)

The Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute, Inc. (YMWI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a unique purpose—to scientifically explore and share the benefits of creative musical expression as an effective wellness strategy. Based upon a solid foundation of published scientific studies, YMWI is committed to reestablishing active music participation as a healthy lifestyle strategy. With a focus on research and education, YMWI is the only organization in the world specifically dedicated to developing and evaluating novel Recreational Music Making strategies. YMWI's ultimate goal is to enable individuals of all ages, regardless of prior experience, to discover the joy and personal benefits of playing a musical instrument.

About the NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.