Cincinnati Music & Wellness Coalition is the nation’s first community-wide recreational music and wellness coalition. With an approach to whole person wellness, in 2008, a unique step was taken towards strengthening our community. The coalition brought together 30 organizations, physicians, and musicians in Southwestern Ohio and N. Kentucky serving: older adults, caregivers, corporate employees, developmentally disabled, at-risk youth, mental health & chemical addictions, students, refugee groups, healthcare professionals, and ethnic communities. CMWC presently includes member organizations both national and international.

Coalition members offer one or both evidence-based recreational music making wellness programs; Clavinova Connection and HealthRHYTHMS. These programs were innovated by neurologist and CEO, Yamaha Music & Wellness Institute, Barry Bittman, MD, and have been scientifically proven to create positive changes in the immune system, assist with mood stabilization, and reduce stress levels.

The Clavinova is a Yamaha digital piano. Clavinova Connection includes a unique series of music/wellness exercises that were created to harmonize mind, body, and spirit. One hour of engaging in this facilitated program has proven to strengthen an individual’s immune system. The innovative program employs state-of-the-art keyboards and a user-friendly educational technique to introduce the art of piano playing to novice musicians. Each Clavinova Connection session consists of several components: singing, physical stretching, meditation, and drum and sound improvisation. Each section is designed to build confidence and self-esteem, while enhancing relaxation and well being. The program promotes socialization, builds camaraderie, reduces depression and loneliness.

HealthRHYTHMS is a one-hour group empowerment-drumming program, which results in positive immune system changes. Benefits include: enhances self-esteem, empathy for others, opportunity to have fun with friends and make new friends, helps express themselves musically as a group, brings a sense of self-worth and respect for others, teaches anger management, conflict resolution and dealing with grief.