THUNDER BAY -- Music software is opening a new world of opportunity for people with disabilities.
Tangled Art + Disability, a Toronto-based group, teamed up with disability and arts organizations across Thunder Bay on Thursday for an afternoon of interactive art activities.
The participants had the chance to create music using an Adaptive Use Musical Instrument with composers and musicians.
It's a special software that was advised for use in music therapy settings," said Lise Vaugeois, Music in Motion composer.
"It responds to peoples movements. With a small movement you can generate music and play this computerized instrument with what movement you can control."
Vaugeois said the AUMI software was originally invented for young people with cerebral palsy but now focuses on children with any physical disability.
The project uses software that allows people of all disabilities to make music using a webcam and a laptop.
"We create music circles into the program, and we make sure the computers are set up in the same keys that we are playing in so when they play it will work with what everybody else is playing," Vaugeois said.
"The program creates an opportunity for participating and making music with other people."
The participants also took part in printmaking with Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Green Screen with Zoe Gordon, production coordinator with Tangled Thunder Bay and a flux dance game led by Cara Eastcott from Tangled Arts Toronto.
The Creation Station is a preview project for this year's Tangled on Tour, a three day art exhibit featuring live performance, film, visual art and workshops for artists with disabilities.
The Tangled Thunder Bay festival takes place May 24 to 26.
