Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS)

11/05/2025

💿 Last year, Rachael Ransom released her debut album, "sixty seven ten," with production support from VAMS.

Rachael has had a constant connection with VAMS since 2018, having been a part of multiple virtual and in-person concerts, to releasing a full record that was crafted at the VAMS studio. Our journey with Rachael continues as we continue to make more tunes together!

🔗 Watch Rachael's performance at the 2024 Strong Sessions: https://youtu.be/7XEuhZ6snuE

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/

10/04/2025

🎹 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