The community partnership between the Garrett Music Academy and the ARC of Southern Maryland began in 2009.  Since inception, the Academy’s focus has been to provide consumers with the ARC a music education in a group setting that would encompass their physical, emotional and cognitive needs.  Our program combines occupational and physical therapy methods through body movement and rhythm exercises with small hand instruments to encourage gross and fine motor skills.  Verbal and verbal skills are addressed through vocal warm up, solfege exercises and singing.  All consumers, regardless of level of function, are included and encouraged to participate.