Music is a universal language that speaks to all people from all walks of life. And for music therapy students at Concordia University, it does more than just talk.
"When the music therapist comes in, their eyes light up," junior transfer student Kiera Morgan told Live Well Nebraska of her experience as a music therapy major having pre-practicum observances at a school in Lincoln. "It's fun to watch kids be excited about what you love."
Morgan is just one of the students currently studying music therapy at Concordia University in Nebraska. The American Music Therapy Association had just finally accredited the program this fall, and ever since students have been seeing how music helps solve a variety of needs.
Music therapy has been scientifically proven to help improve the lives of people of all ages. "Music therapists work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric facilities, and private practices," Concordia University noted in its Music Therapy webpage.
Nicole Jacobs, Concordia's Music Therapy director, works to bring the benefits of music therapy to Nebraska. She said she hopes that many will come to discover the benefits of music therapy, especially those who had never heard of it.
"I really hope that since we have students going out at practicums at hospitals and schools and some places where they don't have programs that more places will realize how much it can help," she said.
Jacobs added that she was surprised to see 10 students sign up for the program when it started, and to have many others express their intention to learn more about it. For students such as transfer student Kelly Langer, the program is more than just interesting - it enabled her to combine her love for children and music.
"I'm really happy to have a program in my state, and I think it's important for Nebraska to finally have a program," Langer said
