Joy Giver training classes in Solana Beach

July 11 is the deadline to sign up for a class to learn how music can help adults and children with special needs.

Resounding Joy Inc., a nonprofit agency based in Carmel Valley, uses music to promote the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being of people throughout the county, from nursing home residents, older-adult daycare clients and infants of teen parents to homeless people and AIDS and HIV patients.

It trains a network of volunteers in the principles of music therapy and helps out at many faith- and community-based organizations, including the Encinitas Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Redwood Elderlink in Escondido, and the Third Avenue Charitable Organization and Mark Twain, Lindsay, Garfield and Victoria high schools in San Diego.

People are not required to read music, play a musical instrument or have a trained voice to become volunteers, or “Joy Givers.”

A volunteer-training class will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, and supervision training from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, will cover recreational music-making techniques in drumming, rhythm and singing. Trainees will learn how to work one-on-one or in groups to help reduce stress, improve physical fitness, encourage self-expression and foster camaraderie of those in need.

Prospective volunteers should register online at http://www.resoundingjoyinc.org. Resounding Joy will contact all approved candidates and confirm the training location in Solana Beach.

For more Information: 866-800-0197.