TC AZ is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) Charity - AZ QCO Code 22218
therapeutic music benefits EVERYONE with parkinson's
We are committed to inclusion and we value diversity
Tremble Clefs Arizona provides music therapy to people with Parkinson’s disease. Our members come to our groups from all walks of life to participate in vocal and breathing exercises and to sing. Together, we strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, education, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation is welcomed, supported and encouraged to reach their full potential with dignity.
Tremble Clefs is for people with PD
We provide music therapy for people with PD
We provide music therapy for people with PD
We provide music therapy for people with PD
This clinically beneficial program provides vocal and movement exercises and generates new learning and comfortable challenges in a shared supportive environment. Most groups meet on a weekly basis.
Our Music Director, Sun Joo Lee, has a Master's in Music Therapy from Arizona State University. She has worked with our choral groups since 2008. Her energy and dedication inspires us all. Classes are also given by talented Interim Music Directors: Kiersten Jungbluth, Merri Zohar, and Carolyn Perkins.
In this photograph members of the West Side Tremble Clefs are directed by Kiersten Jungbluth. This concert was on Sunday afternoon, April 21, 2024, at the Sun City Christian Church. Not shown in the photograph is Jan Schaafsma, their accompanist. The audience enthuasically joined in with the singing.
The West Side Tremble Clefs meets in Sun City on Wednesday mornings. We reach out to anyone with Parkinson's disease. Come check us out! For details on meeting places and times click on the "Schedule of Choral Meetings."
Our groups meet in person and on Zoom
We provide music therapy for people with PD
We provide music therapy for people with PD
Voice loss, decreased voice volume, voice with a monotone quality are common symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Regular participation in our singing groups strengthens the vocal chords. Participation keeps members active and engaged, resulting in new-found energy.
Tremble Clefs was founded in Scottsdale Arizona in 1994. In 2018 two groups, the Scottsdale group and the Sun City group, combined, incorporated and were granted nonprofit status by the IRS. The Mesa group began in 2019, then Covid stopped in-person meetings. They resumed in 2022.
The photograph above shows Music Director Merri Zohar leading the Mesa Tremble Clefs in their annual concert at Venture Out RV Resort, March 25, 2024. Singers from the Original Tremble Clefs joined them in this successful performance. Not shown in the photograph is their accompanist Linus Jung.
All groups welcome people who have Parkinson's disease. That is the only qualification. You don't have to read music or have a musical background or a "good voice." Give us a try. The first session is always free of charge.
TREMBLE CLEFS WAS FOUNDED IN SCOTTSDALE AZ IN 1994
This music therapy group for people with Parkinson's disease began with a PD support group
There was a serendipitous meeting between Karen Hesley, a speech pathologist at Scottsdale Memorial Hospital who had begun to provide Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, and people in a small PD support group whose members had been singing around the piano after the business part of their meeting.
That was 30 years ago! There are now four groups of Tremble Clefs in Arizona's Maricopa County and several in California and other states. Clinically beneficial singing therapy groups continue to grow.
In 2018, the Scottsdale group, the Original, and the West Side group, started in 2008 and located in Sun City, joined forces. The two groups combined and incorporated to become Tremble Clefs Arizona (TCAZ). Later that same year, 2018, TCAZ received non-profit 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.
On this website you can learn more about the history and the current status of TCAZ. We welcome your support. Please tell people you know who have Parkinson's about Tremble Clefs. We invite you to our concerts. Thank you for your interest.
In 2019, Tremble Clefs Arizona received a community grant from the Parkinson's Foundation. The funds of the grant are earmarked for the establishment of two new Tremble Clefs in Maricopa County.
In 2021, Tremble Clefs Arizona received a Parkinson's Community Grants Award from the Parkinson's Foundation to support the formation of a Tremble Clefs group in Mesa, Arizona.
Tremble Clefs Arizona appreciates the support we have received from the Parkinson's Foundation. We appreciate all donations.