Utah Association of Music Therapists

The purpose of the Association is to support the aims and objectives of the American Music Therapy Association; to promote the growth of Music Therapy as a profession in the state of Utah; to provide a professional support group for Music Therapists in Utah; to encourage ongoing education of Music Therapy by providing speakers, workshops, and other special projects.  

Utah music therapists and students meet tri-annually to discuss current events in music therapy, employment, and other pending issues.

State conferences are held annually.

The Association is recognized as a non-profit organization in the state of Utah and is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (a)

of the Internal Revenue Code.  

NATIONALLY APPROVED EDUCATIONAL SITE

Utah State University, Logan

The USU music therapy program was established in 1980. The Program is accredited both by the National Association of Schools of Music and the American Music Therapy Association.   During the 2006-2007 academic year, approximately 70 students were enrolled, being the largest music therapy program in the United States. Currently, two outstanding faculty members head the Music Therapy Program: Professor Maureen Hearns and Dr. Bruce Saperston.

Nationally approved Clinical

Training Sites

A music therapist is required to complete 1,200 hours of clinical training. Three clinical training sites are nationally approved in Utah:

1. Utah State Developmental Center, American Fork
2. Granite School District, Salt Lake City
3. Sunshine Terrace Foundation, Inc., Logan

4. University Internship, various cities

Recognition of Utah Music Therapists State & National

Many grants have been awarded to individual music therapists and music therapy programs throughout the state. Grants have included The Mr. Holland's Opus Grant (University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute), Administration on Aging Grant, Marie Eccles Caine Foundation, Utah Arts Council, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Sunshine Terrace Foundation, Inc.), Faculty Research Grants (Utah State University).

In March of 1997, Salt Lake City hosted the Western Regional Conference of the American Music Therapy Association. At that time, Governor Mike Leavit declared an official Music Therapy week in the State of Utah.

The New York Times published an article on a Utah music therapist working with Alzheimer's patients (1994).   Articles about music therapy programs have also appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune, the Deseret News, Junction Magazine, and the Logan Herald Journal.

Current Employment Positions

Music therapists are employed in various facilities such as: