Schools and Early Childhood Centers

Schools & Early Childhood Centers

Students need holistic and multi-sensory approaches to learning. Music therapy provides the tools to build supportive school environments with students who are ready to learn.

From IEP supports, to SEL for all students, to professional development for staff, our school-based programs are:

Accessible

Natalie with vision board - early childhood

There is no special talent or previous experience needed to benefit from any of our programs! We will adapt activities, so all students can successfully participate. We value ALL forms of communication and provide opportunities for everyone to express themselves. We create an environment where students at all grade levels feel comfortable listening to, discussing, and making music within a group or individual setting.

Creative

Engaging in active music making, listening, and other creative endeavors has countless benefits for our social/emotional health and strengthens all areas of development. We engage students in evidence-based music and creative arts experiences that prepare them to be stronger learners, build confidence, and strengthen social emotional skills.

Goal-Oriented

Our programs are not only fun and engaging, they are thoughtfully planned to meet the needs and identified goals of the students in front of us. Our music therapists guide students through music and arts experiences that build community, strengthen developmental skills (including working on IEP goals), and improve social emotional wellness.

Please note: We have music therapy services specifically for students receiving special services (music therapy does not need to be on their IEP to benefit), as well as creative arts wellness programs to support SEL and the mental health of the entire student body.

Service Options Include:

Ongoing Services

For groups or individuals. Our most effective option for working on targeted goals (including IEP goals).

Ongoing music therapy services are the most effective way to work on targeted goals in a supportive and creative environment. Most often, ongoing services are provided for special education students. Some students we serve have music therapy included in their IEP. However, many schools we partner with simply choose to invest in music therapy for their special education students because it is so effective in helping students meet their developmental, academic, and SEL goals.

Groups and individuals will participate in a variety of music and creative arts experiences over time that may include:

Songwriting
Drumming
Singing
Listening
Movement
Stories
Supportive Conversations and Discussions

Music and experiences will be chosen based on the identified goals, interests, and ages of the individuals participating. Music therapy is beneficial for students at all grade levels.

Accessibility

Adaptive instruments, visuals, and other materials will be provided when needed. We will adapt activities to meet the communication needs of all students.

Tracking Progress

All sessions are documented and service summaries are provided 2 times per school year (January and June).

We will do our best to attend IEP meetings when requested. We will provide a written summary for any meetings we are unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts with other clients.

Short-Term Series

Groups offered in 6 or 8-week packages. Support global skill development and mental health.

In these short-term series, students will work through the creative process together, with a focus on using the arts to improve overall wellness. We are all about the process, not the product! Programs can be provided during or after-school.

Current offerings are Therapeutic Enrichment for K-12 students with special needs and Creative Arts Wellness for High School (SEL program for students with a strong interest in music and the arts).

Therapeutic Enrichment (for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities): Students work on global skill development and connecting with peers, as they focus on a specific creative arts project. Support staff for students is the responsibility of the school district to provide.

Therapeutic Enrichment Options include:

Creative Arts Wellness for High School Students: (most beneficial for students with an interest in music and the arts): Students learn how to use songwriting, active music listening, singing, and other creative arts to improve their mental health and wellness. Students learn strategies and tools for dealing with stress and anxiety.

Resources and Program Summary for All Short-Term Series

All sessions are documented. A program summary will be provided at the end of each short-term series.

The program summary includes:

notes on what we accomplished and learned in our time together
notable progress we observed
resources to continue the learning process
any tangible finished project if applicable (art work, song recording, etc.)

Workshops

One-time workshops offer opportunities for community-building and stimulating your creativity.

Bring us to your school for a student workshop or take a field trip to our center!

Our school workshops focus on Music and Creative Arts Wellness for music education departments OR specialized programs for students with disabilities (all grade levels).

A sample of current offerings include:

Teen Music and Wellness
Music and Creative Arts field trip to SEC (for small groups of special education students)

Accessibility

Adaptive instruments, visuals, and other materials will be provided when needed. We will adapt activities to meet the communication needs of those participating.

Resources and Program Handouts

Following the workshop, participants will be provided with a summary of what we did, additional fun resources, and any finished project (if applicable).

Professional Development & Staff Wellness

Learn creative arts strategies to improve SEL and skill development in the classroom through our PD presentations. Give your staff resources and tools to improve their own wellness and address symptoms of burnout in our staff wellness programs.

Staff Wellness

We know your staff are passionate about what they do, but working in education and any helping profession can be overwhelming at times, leading to burnout and stress. Our staff wellness programs equip staff with the knowledge, resources, and tools to improve their own personal wellness and address symptoms of burnout and stress.

Current offerings include:

Music and Wellness for Educators and Helping Professionals

Professional Development

Our professional development offerings give staff the tools to best support their students through SEL and music-based strategies.

Current offerings include:

Social Emotional Learning in the Music Room
Making the Music Room Accessible to All
Incorporating Music and the Arts into Skill Development for Special Education

Community partner - instrument exploration - pre-k_elementary_

"Not only were her music sessions engaging, developmentally appropriate, and interactive, she also took the time to understand the individual and unique needs of the students in my classroom... [The music therapist] ensured everyone was included equally and was able to present activities that engaged all of my students, despite their various strengths and challenges"

-Local Teacher

A Collaborative Approach

Although we are not at your school every day, we consider ourselves a part of your team of educators, therapists, and related staff. We value communication between students, family members, teachers, and administrators to make sure that we are meeting the needs of all students we work with. We document all sessions, so progress can be tracked and any necessary adjustments to the service delivery plan can be made.

You may only have one of our music therapists at your school, but you can be assured you have an entire team of music therapists behind the services being provided. Our team meets regularly to share research, resources, songs, and activities to make sure we are all providing the most engaging, accessible, and effective music therapy and creative arts wellness programs.

Our Services Include...

Direct Service provided by a board-certified music therapist
Outside preparation time for sessions, including researching best practices, learning student preferred music, and creating visuals and accessible materials
Documentation of all sessions
Periodic progress report and service summaries (ongoing services)
Resource & Program Summary Handout (short-term services and workshops)
Access to community partner liaison for any service-related questions

Become a Community Partner

1. Contact Us

We'll get to know your school's and students' needs through a quick email or phone call.

2. Choose a Plan

We'll provide you with service options that will best support your students and staff.

3. See Your Students Thrive

We'll implement a music therapy and creative arts wellness program that makes students and staff feel more connected to their school community. Your students will gain confidence, have strategies to cope with big feelings, and be motivated to learn.