Amy Andrus is a music therapist with more than 20 years of field experience. She contracts her services to different school districts, nursing homes and assisted living homes, and does private lessons. Each week, Andrus visits Legacy Elementary to work with Special Education and Life Skills students.

“Music therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals,” Andrus said. “Students in the public school system qualify for music therapy services after going through an evaluation process that compares the student’s performance with and without music.”

Andrus said after the evaluation, students are typically recommended to receive music therapy.

“If there is a measurable difference with music, and if the student is struggling to make progress on IEP goals and objectives, music therapy is considered a necessary addition to the IEP,” Andrus said. “Music therapy is individualized to meet each student’s specific needs. When I work with my students at Legacy, I prepare music activities that address their IEP objectives.”

Andrus collects data and creates weekly logs to help keep track of the student’s progress. Andrus currently also has students at Bennett Elementary, Frenship Middle School and Frenship High School. She spends time with her students at each campus for 30 minutes each week.

“Music is intrinsically rewarding to most kiddos and, because many of our students with special needs are motivated by music, it is a perfect opportunity to work on areas they are struggling in the classroom and beyond,” Andrus said. “Music is very often a key that unlocks communication and other necessary skills. Naturally, my job is extremely rewarding because I get to see the difference that music makes every single day.”