Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS)

11/01/2025

🥁 Fun fact: one of the first ever adaptations done at VAMS was for drumsticks!

35 years later, with help from the Tetra Society of North America, we've designed a new way to overcome grip strength barriers when holding drumsticks. This simple design comes in various sizes and allows different sticks or mallets to be swapped in and out.

Want to help Tetra make more adaptive devices, including musical devices like these? Consider donating or sharing this year's TetraNation campaign: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/136790

💬 Let us know what instrument you want to see adapted by leaving a comment!

10/22/2025

You may remember Daniel Ashworth from one of our past podcast episodes, where he talked about concert and festival accessibility.

Passionate about making music and events accessible for the disability community, Daniel works with VAMS to create his own music and uses his platform, Access in Excess, to spread the word about concert accessibility.

Learn more about Daniel by listening to his interview on Re-Imagine Radio: https://vams.org/episode-99-accessibility-at-concerts/

10/08/2025

🎤 Singer-songwriter Kristina Shelden has a long-standing relationship with VAMS, both as a musician and on the Board of Directors.

From recording songs to performing on stage, VAMS has played a part in providing different avenues for Kristina to pursue her passion in music following her spinal cord injury.

It's artists like Kristina who help drive VAMS' mission to make music accessible for all.

🔗 Learn more about Kristina: https://vams.org/kristina-shelden/

10/06/2025

Our 2024 Annual Report is now available!

Last year, VAMS supported artists through 340+ studio sessions, live performances, and adaptive music programs — continuing to break down barriers in music.

We’re grateful to our volunteers, donors, staff, partners, and community who make this work possible.

Read the full report:https://vams.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/2024-VAMS-Annual-Report.pdf

10/04/2025

🎹 Have you ever wondered how to play piano chords with just one finger? The Ableton music software can help with that!

On this episode of Music for Every Body, Bryden teaches us how to use the program's settings to play chords by pressing just one key.

💬 Have a question about adaptive instruments, music production, or other equipment at the VAMS studio? Comment below and let us know what you'd like to see on the series!

10/01/2025

🎶 December sessions at the VAMS Studio are open for booking! You can now reserve slots until the December holiday break.

📝 To book a session, go to disabilityfoundation.checkfront.com/reserve/

🎤 For more information about VAMS programs and the booking process, including a tutorial video, visit vams.org/programs

See you at the studio!

09/24/2025

sylvi macCormac is a longtime VAMS client, having recorded multiple records at our studio and participated in various live performances. Recently, sylvi released Wheels Soundscapes: Voices of People With Disabilities, which is the accumulation of decades of work.

sylvi shares how VAMS has played a role in her music career and how the Society provides resources for musicians with disabilities to create.

🔗 Read more about sylvi on the VAMS website: https://vams.org/sylvi-maccormac/

09/12/2025

09/06/2025

🎵 Introducing our new VAMS educational series—Music for Every Body!

In this series, we will be posting a different tutorial relating to adaptive music. From playing instruments to producing music, learn more about what VAMS does at the studio every day to ensure music is accessible for EVERY body.

🎸 This week, Bryden teaches us how to play guitar using only one arm with the adapted guitar strummer.

08/29/2025

🎶 The next opportunity for booking a session at the VAMS Studio is open!

Bookings are now available until the end of November, so you can book the sessions you want for the next three months.

📝 To book a session, go to disabilityfoundation.checkfront.com/reserve/

🎤 For more information about VAMS programs and the booking process, including a tutorial video, visit vams.org/programs

See you at the studio!

08/20/2025

This week on Re-Imagine Radio, we continue our conversation with Kiran Brar, a young person living with Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Having dealt with years of hardship while navigating her voice disorder, she is now focused on spreading awareness about SD and other voice disorders.

Listen to what Kiran has to say about her journey: https://youtu.be/CUm05aKpq4s

08/18/2025

We're back this week with Kiran Brar to learn more about what it's like living with Spasmodic Dysphonia, a rare voice disorder.

In this episode, Kiran talks about how finding community has helped her with her experiences and personal skills she's developed.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss the second part of our interview with Kiran: https://www.youtube.com/