Dreams Fulfilled Through Music helping people of different abilities

Local nonprofits spread messages of healing and hope through the power of music.

On Sunday, dreams come true through music and the annual fundraising concert was held.

When you listen to this music, your toes will clap and your hands will clap.

“Regardless of my physical condition, I was very happy,” said Gracie Gubernardi, a member of the Dreams Group.

Polka tunes from award-winning band Mike and the Middletones spread to the Magic Theater.

“On the weekends, I’m doing this weekend warrior accordionist,” said lead accordionist Dr. Mike Middleton.

Dr. Middleton is the Chief of Nuclear Medicine at Baylor, Scott and White Hospital in Temple on a regular day of 9-5.

“No one really appreciates me when I inject radioactive material, but when I put on music that makes them happy, they happen to thank me,” Dr. Middleton said.

It’s a different kind of healing than he does in the hospital.

That’s the mission of Dreams Fulfilled Through Music, a nonprofit founded in 2005 by Mary Kathryn Archuleta and her daughter Kathryn.

Kathryn was injured in her senior year of high school and now has difficulty walking.

As someone who lives with a disability, she knows the importance of being told “I can” rather than “I can’t.”

“Sometimes we need to feel useful, too. We can give back to the community like everyone else,” Kathryn said.

Over the past 18 years, Dreams Fulfilled Through Music has helped over 900 people of all ages and abilities learn music and share their talents across the country.

They saw how transformative it was.

“Some people come without using any language at all,” says Kathryn. “Then two or three years later they started singing.”

Frank Villani is Chairman of the Dreams Board of Directors.

Villani’s grandson, who has autism, said he had a newfound appreciation for the work being done as part of the organization.

“It’s about allowing people to be who they are and show them all who they are, and I think that’s what Dreams is supposed to do,” said Villani.

Sunday’s concert is a huge fundraiser for Dreams Fulfilled Through Music, but there are other ways you can help keep their mission alive by clicking here.