music therapy faq

teacher bio

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is a research-based practice in which a trained Music Therapist uses music to assist individuals on their non-music goals for improvement or maintenance of the person’s well-being and/or health.


What type of non-music goals can you work on in music therapy?
  • Communication skills
  • Social skills
  • Emotional regulation
  • Stress and anger management
  • Impulse control
  • Direction-following
  • Speech and language
  • Fine and gross motor skills

Who can benefit from music therapy?
Individuals with:
  • Developmental disabilities
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Cognitive Impairments
  • Physical Impairments
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Mental/Behavioral Health
  • Depression
  • Anxiety/Stress
  • Anger Management

Why music therapy?

Music therapy provides a safe space for people of all ages to express themselves in a nonverbal manner. These sessions provide structure and consistency for the individual to have opportunities to learn and practice new skills that can be generalized to other areas of life. Music is motivating for many children and adults. These sessions offer another kind of outlet and mode of therapy to work on these non-music goals.

What are adapted lessons?

There is immense value in learning how to play a musical instrument. In addition to learning the instrument, many non-music goals are also achieved, including developing self-esteem, focus and attention, impulse control, etc. Adapted lessons allow individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn an instrument from a therapist who has an educational, clinical and musical background and can understand their individualized needs.


online registration 

Jami Smith, MT-BC is a Board Certified Music Therapist with a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA in 2005. She completed her Music Therapy internship at Bethany Children’s Home in 2006. Jami completed a Master’s in Health Administration from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA in 2013. She has been practicing music therapy since 2006 in various settings. She has worked with populations ranging in age from 3 to older adult with various disabilities and diagnoses including Autism spectrum disorders, emotional disorders, learning disabilities, developmental delays, dementia and mental illness. Jami is an active member of the American Music Therapy Association. She keeps involved in her profession and continues her education to continue to provide quality care.


online registration

Southern New Jersey Music Instruction

SNJMI is a professional music studio offering private music instruction, early childhood music classes, summer programs and music parties. A staff of experienced educators and musicians join director, Francesca Secrest. At SNJMI our instructors understand the differing needs of students and personalize curricula accordingly. Whether seeking fame and fortune, a career in music, or simply pursuing a few hours of fun at home, children and adults at all playing abilities are encouraged at SNJMI.