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Playing Piano Proven to Light Up and Impact the Whole Brain Continue reading
prREACH
Apr 02, 2014 /prREACH/ -- CEO and Founder Mr. Chris Salter announced the opening of a free beta testing opportunity of the upcoming iPhone and iPad app version of the Piano Wizard Academy for the autism spectrum community during Autism Awareness Month. The app is the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign done last year to develop a low cost accessible version of Piano Wizard that would allow virtually anyone to learn to play piano and read music in minutes. This simple accessible solution dramatically widens the pool of people who can enjoy the benefits of music education and music therapy, benefits that include higher math, language and social skills that were once too hard, too expensive, or too difficult to achieve and enjoy.
“Surprisingly moving stories from families and teachers in special needs situations who benefited, particularly autism spectrum, have inspired us to share the app with the ASD community during this beta test to try and learn how it might be improved or optimized for their needs.” said Mr. Salter.
Already listed on Autism Speaks website as a recommended product, Piano Wizard was also recently awarded the, Autism Approved seal, from the Autism Hope Alliance for its potential with families in the ASD community. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 68 children in the United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and Autism spectrum disorders are almost five times more common among boys than girls – with 1 in 50 boys.* “Music exposure and education has been an effective form of therapy for people on the spectrum for many years, and integration should be a part of any family’s options, especially given the dramatic new studies on how music affects the neuroplasticity of the brain. The new Piano Wizard Academy app, the classic PC and Mac versions and our online resources combine to make that easy and possible in a comprehensive, fun and affordable way. We hope to get feedback from hundreds of families this month, and will donate a full working version of the app and access to our online campus to any survey participants in the ASD community that help us learn how to improve it for their community and children.” said founder Chris Salter.
To participate in this anonymous beta test study, (done in the form of a before and after survey), Music Wizard requests the following criteria to be met by the applicants:
a) Be, or have someone in the autism spectrum in your family, school or care. b) Own or have access to an iPad or iPhone that the participant can play with. c) Have email and web browser software on that device so they can access the link to install the beta. d) Be willing to spend at least 10 to 15 minutes a day playing with the app for a couple of weeks, after which they will be invited to fill out part 2 of the survey, and share their thoughts in a second survey. e) They must be willing to have their comments, feedback and suggestions anonymously shared with others, without their name or identity being attached or discoverable. Privacy relating to personal details will be protected and respected, and omitted from reports if accidentally included.
Participants will then be given a full current version of the iPad and iPhone apps with no time limitations, as well as access to Music Wizard’s Virtual Campus, and other musical bonus gifts, at no charge.
Applicants can go here for more information and to enroll:
http://www.pianowizardacademy.com/asd-community-beta-test/
“Like the way Crayola unleashed the artistic imagination of millions of children for generations, our vision is to give all children the profound, brain changing gifts and benefits of music, for life.” said General Manager and co-founder Eliana Salter.
Recent summary of articles on music, and the brain http://bit.ly/MusicBrainOverview.
Contact Information: Chris Salter, Founder and CEO Music Wizard Next Gen http://www.PianoWizardAcademy.com [email protected] | 813-505-2995 Autism Hope Alliance