Programs & Services:
Music Program

The Blind Children's Learning Center is proud to introduce our New Music Program for children with vision impairments along with our new Piano player and Music Instructor, Debra Delazzer. Debra came to BCLC this June 2009 after responding to a posting on the Volunteer Center of Orange County’s website. She comes from a family with a musical background and always knew music was her destiny. Debra’s training is mainly in classical music and some ragtime. She began taking piano lessons at the young age of seven. In high school and college she played the violin as well as continuing with the piano. Once out of college she considered playing professionally, but decided on a different career path. When she saw the opportunity at BCLC, it seemed a perfect match. Now that she has begun, she says, “I was looking for a way to share my music talent with others. So far, I am enjoying myself immensely and can not wait to be more involved!”

This program focuses on listening to music as an active discipline, rather than a passive activity. Basic distinctions, such as high and low variance of pitch, direction of pitch, dynamic ranges, and tempo variations have been shown to provide insights beyond the obvious musical references that help the students relate more thoroughly to the world around them. This supports both spatial and emotional development. It is our goal to help the children acquire deliberate listening skills in concert with other abilities as well as the development of self-concept and the ability of each student to cope with his/her disability.

Children react in their own way to different styles of music. Some will smile at the sound of a guitar and some will frown and tense up at the sound of orchestrated symphonies. Music gives the children a means of emotional expression by stimulating them. Most importantly, music is fun and one area where the visually impaired child can thrive like any other typical child.