At the end of October, the FSU School of Communication Science and Disorders (SCSD) had a special visitor. Kevin Spencer, a performing artist and educator, hosted a workshop for graduate students, faculty, and clinical staff of the L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing Clinic during his week-long visit to FSU.

An advocate for using the power of the arts to “inspire, transform, and build community,” Spencer commits his work to arts integration in Education, Special Education, Psychology, and Rehabilitation Sciences. His interactive workshops are based on sound principles of learning to teach participants simple magic tricks as a fun and motivating way for patients to reach therapeutic goals and improve cognitive and motor skills.

“It was an amazing experience for the students,” said Ellen Nimmons, Faculty Clinical Supervisor at SCSD. Nimmons helped organize the workshop with Spencer that was engaging, structured, content-rich yet simultaneously entertaining. The “hands on” approach Spencer takes in his presentations is both informative and inspiring.

During his visit to FSU, he also performed The Magic of Kevin Spencer at Opperman Music Hall on October 31. Presented by Opening Nights at FSU, the performance by Spencer was a great success. The L.L. Schendel Speech and Hearing Clinic sponsored a family currently receiving therapy with them to attend the performance. A young man who has Down’s Syndrome and a cochlear implant for hearing loss attended with his guardians. He has been a part of the clinic for several years and enjoyed seeing Spencer’s sensory-friendly performance.