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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Yes Stephanie. Staying up to date is vital. Because Vision Through Music is being hosted by the well-funded Children’s Eye Foundation (established in 1970), they have the resources to hire the necessary personnel to keep the website current in all respects.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is a new endeavor that has just been launched. But our mission is to enroll in the registry music professionals from every state and major city in the U.S.. And when that is achieved, what a day that will be!!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>VTM is the brainchild of Bradley Black, a retired pediatric ophthalmologist and amateur musician. Our vision is to make up to date, accurate and useful music resources available to all. And, of course, if the public ever notices anything inaccurate we more than welcome knowing about it so that we can update the content. The website is still being improved and will include a place where users can provide feedback. Any suggestions are more than welcome!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are really hoping that MENVI teachers and transcribers will not only sign up for the registry, but equally important, submit free educational content for the Education pages. In addition, in the Resource pages, links to paid content can also be posted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Pinto<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>AMB<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss-bounces@menvi.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Stephanie Pieck via Menvi-discuss<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 28, 2022 2:34 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy' <menvi-discuss@menvi.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Stephanie Pieck <themusicsuite@verizon.net><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Menvi-discuss] A Searchable National Registry of Music Teachers and Transcribers for the Visually Impaired<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Thanks for doing this. I’m sure it will be a good resource. I hope it stays up-to-date.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>S. Pieck<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> Menvi-discuss [<a href="mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces@menvi.org">mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces@menvi.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>David Pinto via Menvi-discuss<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 27, 2022 6:26 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'<br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:info@ouramb.org">info@ouramb.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [Menvi-discuss] A Searchable National Registry of Music Teachers and Transcribers for the Visually Impaired<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Hello MENVI Members!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>A national searchable registry of music teachers for the blind and partially sighted has been created. All experienced braille music transcribers and teachers of the visually impaired may apply to be listed in it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>In collaboration with the Academy of Music for the Blind (AMB), the Children’s Eye Foundation of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (CEF-AAPOS) launched Vision Through Music (VTM), a program designed to improve access for visually impaired students to music instruction. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>VTM hosts a growing registry of music teachers who have experience teaching visually impaired students. In addition, it hosts both a growing Resource section with links and an Educational section with content. The Resource section is currently being maintained by David Goldstein, and the Educational content is currently being provided by AMB, Richard Taesch and Bill McCann. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>We invite you to join the VTM teacher registry, and to also contribute to the Resources and Educational section. Just send contact info and a short bio to <a href="mailto:contact@visionthroughmusic.org">contact@visionthroughmusicorg</a> and after review, you will receive a link to create a registry profile. Use of the registry is free to students and teachers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>For teachers who do not have experience working with blind students, VTM has developed a virtual course with AMB where teachers can learn how to teach blind students, shadowing AMB teachers and participating in teaching AMB students. Tuition for the course is covered by CEF-AAPOS.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>VTM has established a scholarship fund, and students who find a teacher through the teacher registry are eligible to apply for financial grants to help cover lesson tuition or cost of a musical instrument. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Please circulate this information to your membership. We hope MENVI members with take this opportunity to expand their outreach to visually impaired students throughout the United State. Check out the Vision Through Music website <a href="http://www.visionthroughmusic.org">www.visionthroughmusic.org</a> and let me know if you have any questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>David Pinto<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Academy of Music for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><a href="mailto:dpinto@ouramb.org">dpinto@ouramb.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><a href="http://www.ouramb.org">www.ouramb.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>