It was a wonderful night. Well over 400 people attended the event to show support for our programmes and services. It is quite a humbling experience to see so many people in one room for the same reason.

The Reno Gazette Journal has a photo gallery of the evening and a short article, check them out here. Photo Gallery & Article

A special thanks goes out to the Reno Jazz Orchestra, Kenn Pettiford, Scot Marshal, Travis Axe, Pete Barnato, Joe Hart, Mark Simon, the Reno Fire Department, NV Energy, Students United Way of UNR and all the night’s volunteers for giving up their time to make the event so special and successful. Volunteers are often forgotten, and I personally just want to thank them for all their help during A Note-Able Evening of Romance.

The night takes so many people to make possible: from the attendees to the donors, board and staff, there are more thanks to come in the next few days :).

~Sheena

The long ride of a rock star
Published 1/25/2012

Playing the right tune: Nonprofit helps community with music
Published 1/22/2012

Note-Worthy – Jennifer Kerin
Jennifer share with us a little bit about her life, and her love of music. Click here to read the full interview.

Message from Manal -
A letter from the Executive Director on reflection and thanks giving.

Take Note – The Sing-Ables
Find out more information about our new choir class beginning December 2nd!

Community Support
Read about some of the rock stars who make The Note-Ables successful.

Music Therapy in the News -
Having problems focusing? Try music to help boost your concentration. Click here for the article.

Noodles and Notes wrap-up!
Not able to make it to our fifth annual Noodles and Notes? Find out how it went: click here!

Take Note – Audition for The Note-Ables
We are currently looking for a female vocalist, click here for more details on how to sign up to audition!

NoteWorthy – Chuck Fulkerson
A long time supporter, now student at The Note-Ables, tells us about his experience, click here to read the full story.

Music Therapy in the News -
More science suggests music can boost mind and body! Click here to read the full story.

More About Music Therapy Here.

Join us for Noodles and Notes!
Click here for more information about our fifth annual fundraiser for our classes and programmes!

Spotlight – Truckee River Band
Read about a local band that plays a mix of classic rock and blues – and two of its members are current students at The Note-Ables!

NoteWorthy – Sheena Britschgi
Find our more about Administrative Assistant Sheena Britschgi who just celebrated her three year anniversary with The Note-Ables.

Music Therapy in the News – Music: Rx for Cancer Patients
Music, we can pretty much all agree, is a good thing. New research suggests that it can benefit cancer patients, too! Click here for the full story!

Full PDF Version of Noodles and Notes

Take Note – Spring Activities in the Community

There is so much going on this spring, so gather the family and head out to join in the fun!
On May 1st at Idlewild Park, get your “green” on at Reno’s annual Earth Day celebration!

On May 14th head to Meadowood Mall for Macy’s 5th annual Community Shopping Day!
To purchase tickets for community shopping day click here!

For the rest of Manal’s message and the complete newsletter, Click Here!

May Newsletter : 2011 pdf

Message from the Director
I can’t believe that we just celebrated our 8th anniversary as a Nevada non-profit! Honestly, it does make me feel pretty old, but I am also so proud of all we have accomplished. We have grown so much – expanding our clinical work, increasing community outreach, developing new partnerships, serving more diverse populations, and there is more to come. I truly believe that we have been able to do all of this by staying true to our core philosophy and belief in the power of music to change people’s lives.

For the rest of Manal’s message and the complete newsletter, Click Here!

Take Note – Spring Activities in the Community

There is so much going on this spring, so gather the family and head out to join in the fun!
On May 1st at Idlewild Park, get your “green” on at Reno’s annual Earth Day celebration!

On May 14th head to Meadowood Mall for Macy’s 5th annual Community Shopping Day!
To purchase tickets for community shopping day click here!

April Newsletter : 2011 pdf

Michelle Emrick (Vocals, hand percussion)
A member of The Note-Ables since 1999, Michelle is a well-loved face at performances and around town. She sings and dances her heart out at every performance. Michelle is also a wonderful ambassador for the group with her outgoing personality and ongoing outreach efforts!

Mark Geeson (Guitar, bass, vocals)
“Wow, he’s awesome!” is what people often say the first time they hear Mark play. A perfectionist, he practices every day – always wanting to get things just a little tighter. Mark is also a patient volunteer who helps out with other Note-Ables programs as well as playing with the band.

Michael Lahnala (Bass, saxophone, vocals)
In addition to his membership in The Note-Ables, Michael is also a student at UNR. He is multi-talented and his real love of music lies in the dark corners of “death metal.” He longs for the day when The Note-Ables play a cover from his favorite band, Tool. Until then, Michael is working hard to learn all his bass, saxophone and vocal parts while balancing time to study.

Frank Mackin (Vocals)
After years of cheering in the audience, Frank successfully auditioned for the band in 2008. He quickly became an audience favorite with his smooth voice and charismatic stage presence. Frank has an amazing ability to connect with the audience. His passion for life and love for music shine through in everything he does!

Tony Martin (Vocals, bass)
Tony comes from a musical family, and he grew up playing the guitar and singing with his dad. In addition to his great voice, Tony has a phenomenal musical memory. Give him the title of any song from the last 50 years and he can tell you who wrote it and who performed it!

Jeanine Mooers (Vocals)
A life-long musician with a stunning voice and perfect pitch, Jeanine received a bachelor’s degree in music in 2002. Her voice and keyboard skills  are the backbone of the group. She is also a composer and her pieces have been performed by the Reno Pops Orchestra and the University of Nevada, Reno’s Women’s Choir.

Rebecca Shipley (Vocals)
Members of the group since 2005, Becca and her service dog Tari are some of the best-known faces in town. Becca’s adorable smile makes her vocals sound all the sweeter. By taking private lessons and practicing every day, she is well on her way to her goal of becoming a famous singer some day.

Stephon VanDyke (Percussion)
As one of the newer members of the band, Stephon is currently playing percussion while learning to master the bass and drums. In addition to performing with The Note-Ables band, Stephon also participates in The Note-Ables’ dance class and has performed with the dance team.

Manal Toppozada (Artistic Director and Executive Director of The Note-Ables)
A professional violinist and Board-Certified music therapist, Manal is deeply committed to the group’s mission of raising awareness that creativity knows no bounds. In addition to being the Executive Director of the organization, she relishes her time supporting the performing group. Manal is honored to be a part of such a talented and committed group of musicians!

To book the band, please call our office at (775)324.5521

Past Band Members


Farida Banu (Percussion)
Farida’s infectious smile brightened every gig. She played congas and percussion with The Note-Ables for 10 years. Farida also served as a Board member, and was active in soliciting community support for all of the organization’s programs.

Monte Loomis (Vocals, bass 2000 – 2010)
Monte began playing the guitar when he was ten years old. After joining The Note-Ables in 2000, Monte said he felt like he had “come home”. Monte’s musical talents were exhibited in his solid bass lines, his steady drumming, and his creative guitar solos. Monte Loomis passed away in January 2010. He will forever be a member of The Note-Ables.

Stephen Metzker (Vocals)
Steve had loved music his entire life, but never had the chance to play with a band. He joined The Note-Ables in 2000 with the goal of playing the drums. As his confidence grew, he started singing backup vocals. Steve eventually became a lead vocalists and grew into his role of local rock star! Steve retired from the band in 2010, but still enjoys stopping by rehearsals to see how his old band-mates are doing.