Music activates, inspires, and stimulates emotional expression. Music relaxes, calms the nervous system and is helpful in restoring internal balance. Music connects us to ourselves and to others. Music is life affirming. The developmental, emotional, psychological and social needs of children and adults are addressed through active music-making in a relationship with a music therapist. The Conservatory’s Music Therapy Program offers the services of master’s degree level, certified music therapists with New York State creative arts licenses. These professionals are trained multi-instrumentalists with specialties that include psychology, special education and other related fields.
COMING SOON: THE BKCM MUSIC THERAPY INSTITUTE!
In Fall 2026, our music therapy programs are moving to BKCM’s new location just down the street, at BKCM Prospect Park West – and growing to become a national Music Therapy Institute focused on clinical practice, research, advocacy and workforce training.
Music Therapy is an evidence-based clinical discipline where music is used to effect positive change and foster creative expression in children and adults. In addition to achieving clinical goals and improving social functioning of those with different abilities, Music Therapy provides people with opportunities to expand their lives and explore issues through creative expression.
Music Therapy Programs
ON-SITE MUSIC THERAPY
In music therapy, the developmental, emotional, psychological and social needs of children and adults are addressed through active music-making in a relationship with a music therapist.
All music therapy sessions at BKCM are registered by semester and run for 15 weeks. Sessions are scheduled on an individual basis to best meet the needs of clients and their families. Clients may register up to 10 weeks into a semester and pay a prorated tuition based upon the remaining weeks in the semester.
BKCM’s Music Therapy Outreach Program serves over 2,700 people across over 50 sites in all five boroughs. Each program is unique in response to the variety of communities, strengths, challenges, and goals of the partner site and participants. We provide music therapy services to public and private schools, developmental preschools, social service agencies and shelters, memory care units, and adult day hab programs. Each program is set up individually depending on what works for the site, what particular skills and client population experience is needed, and what financial arrangement is possible.
If you are interested in setting up a music therapy program at your site, don’t hesitate to contact Dannyele Crawford, BKCM Music Therapy Outreach Coordinator, at dannyele.crawford@bkcm.org.
The BKCM Music Therapy Institute
In Fall 2026, with the generous support from Alexis and Billy Joel’s The Joel Foundation, BKCM will launch a new Music Therapy Institute, housed within our new location at BKCM Prospect Park West. The Institute will become the home for all of our onsite music therapy sessions, and it will be guided by the mission to shape the field on a national level through clinical practice,workforce training, research and advocacy.
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Today, BKCM’s credentialed music therapists and licensed creative arts therapists partner with 54 sites across New York City, working with children and adults of all ages and abilities. Our Community Music Therapy program is rooted in culturally responsive, neurodiversity-affirming, client-centered music therapy practice. The Music Therapy Institute’s design includes sensory-friendly studios and community spaces accessible for all, regardless of physical, cognitive, or sensory abilities.
WORKFORCE TRAINING
BKCM partners with AMTA-approved music therapy bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across the country to provide clinical internship and fieldwork/practicum opportunities. The Music Therapy Institute will enable us to grow our capacity to become a core training facility in this fast-growing field, and expand our Continuing Education and workshop offerings for practicing music therapists and other licensed creative arts therapists.
RESEARCH
With music therapists at 54 different sites across New York City – and clients who are diverse in age, ability and socioeconomic background – BKCM’s music therapy program is uniquely well-positioned to conduct fieldwork-based research on the practice, clinical outcomes, and systemic impact of creative arts therapies. The Institute will conduct research, publish in the field, and convene events for music therapists across the U.S.
ADVOCACY
At this exciting moment for music therapy, BKCM plans to continue its work as an advocate for recognition and support in New York State and beyond. Recently, Music Therapy Program Director Toby Williams traveled to Albany to speak on an Arts Day 2026 panel and co-authored an op-ed with Alexis Joel advocating for the governor to pass a bill that would bring Licensed Creative Arts Therapists into the same insurance framework as other forms of psychotherapy.
“The new Music Therapy Institute will be a national model for how the arts can support human development, connection and mental health.” -Billy & Alexis Joel, Co-Founders, The Joel Foundation
Music Therapy Testimonials
To view more testimonials, swipe right or left.
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“I can’t say enough how much we love the Music Therapy program at BKCM! Charlotte has been in it since nearly the beginning of the program and it has been a huge part of helping her become the amazing young woman she is today. Even aside from the excellent therapists, supportive staff, and personal music education, music therapy has broadened our community and given us deep and enduring friendships.”
– MELINDA BURKE, ONSITE MUSIC THERAPY PARENT
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“Some of my students were not talking in my classroom. After a few sessions of music therapy, they started to relax and communicate with the staff. What they like to do during the time. Which song or instrument was their favorite. Their voice was being heard and respected.”
– PS 396@323 CLASSROOM TEACHER
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“Our son has been part of the music therapy program at BKCM for about four years now. He has a rare genetic disorder and a significant intellectual disability. Through music, that seems to fade away. While nonverbal, he “sings” with a musicality that feels like a key to language for him. He plays the piano, guitar, and drums and is able to express himself. His therapist has a beautiful connection with Asher and plays his favorite songs, from Broadway to Moana to pop. We have seen his communication skills and independence grow, and believe that the joy he experiences at BKCM and the relationship he has built are a big contributor.”
– JAMIE, MUSIC THERAPY PARENT
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“Some students who used to be nonverbal are now using more words and can even respond with “Yes” and “No” answers. I have seen improvement on my students on their language skills and social skills.”
– HEARTSHARE EARLY CHILDHOOD FIRSTSTEP CLASSROOM TEACHER
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“One of my students used to only listen to music on iPad now he enjoys playing the instruments and listening to the instructor sing and play. This student enjoys music therapy so much that he is starting to show interest instruments like the guitar, he is even trying a few strokes. That is a huge improvement for a student that is very rigid with his routines.”
– REACH FOR THE STARS LEARNING CENTER CLASSROOM TEACHER
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“My five-year-old daughter who has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus looks forward to her music therapy class weekly. It’s an amazing space where she can just be herself. Some days, she’s a singer and dancer; other times she explores the instruments. I have seen her confidence increase and her ability to transition improve tremendously. We have had different therapists throughout the years, and they have all been kind, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. We are grateful to have a very special place like BKCM.”
– MUSIC THERAPY PARENT
Enrollment Information
To enroll in our Music Therapy program, families must first schedule a consultation with our faculty. Please email Marie Lewis (marie.lewis@bkcm.org) to inquire.
Music Therapy Internship and Fieldwork / Practicum Opportunities at BKCM!
BKCM has been a training ground for students enrolled in AMTA-approved, university programs in music therapy at both the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. We only accept students enrolled as music therapy majors, whether at the undergraduate or master’s degree level. We have partnered with NYU, Berklee College of Music, Montclair University, Molloy College, SUNY New Paltz, Slippery Rock University and Howard University.
Our internship application for the 2026-27 school year is now closed, but fieldwork applications are opening soon!
Applications for internships are open each spring. To review applications for next year, click here.
Please email our Program Director, toby.williams@bkcm.org to submit your completed application or ask any questions you may have about internships.
For more than 125 years, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music has served our community by cultivating musical opportunities. We reach more than 7,000 students and clients through our community outreach programs, which provide music education and music therapy programs at nearly 90 partner sites across all five boroughs, including public schools, homeless shelters, senior centers, and other community and faith-based organizations, empowering students with tools and experiences unique to BKCM.
Music Therapy in the News
MUSIC THERAPY ON NEWS12
This beautiful segment on News12’s “Rebuilding Brooklyn” is about BKCM’s expansion project, but its also about about Danielle’s incredible journey as a vocalist and performer in BKCM’s music therapy program, alongside her music therapist Hannah.
A recent Sunday New York Times article provides an in-depth look at our music therapists’ work with children at a shelter in Brooklyn – one of over 50 community-based organizations we partner with to provide music therapy across New York City.
In the fall of 2026, BKCM is expanding – and launching a new Music Therapy Institute! The institute will work to advance the field of clinical creative arts therapies in NYC and nationally through workforce training, research, and advocacy.
