​Hello all, My name is Sherri Rajesh, and I am currently a music therapy intern at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC! I have been loving it so far, and it is so wild to think that my last day is in less than a month! Internship has really flown by for me, so I will share a little about my experience here and what it is like to intern at a hospital that has a dedicated music therapy space! Sophie’s Place, the dedicated music therapy space here in the hospital, was created in honor of Sophie Barton, an outstanding and amazing volunteer at Primary Children’s Hospital in Utah! She was a creative force who loved music and volunteering to support patients. She passed away unexpectedly, and to honor her memory, her family created Sophie’s Place! We are one of 9 in the country and the only one on the East Coast! It has been such an honor to work in a place that honors not only Sophie, but all of the patients she was able to impact. Our space has a fully electric drum set, several guitars and ukuleles, a full-size keyboard, a recording studio, and a surround-sound speaker system! Our most notable feature is a pink guitar that is signed by Taylor Swift! Before my internship cycle started, my supervisor and her intern at the time helped host a Swifty Experience for our pediatric patients, and Taylor Swift sent the guitar to support Us! The most impactful lesson I learned as an intern was to learn to be flexible with my session plans! I am a particular person about planning and anticipating different outcomes / behaviors but the reality is that flexibility is the only thing I can know for sure will be a part of my sessions. For incoming interns, make sure to refine those verbal skills as much as possible! It's important to know how to create safe and therapeutic spaces for clients to share in, and you don't want to be stumbling over your words. Throughout this internship I got to work and collaborate with various members of a care team and different types of patients. My favorite internship experience was a "Camp" Day we put on for a long-term patient here! She had undergone an intense procedure and was missing the camp she would typically be attending, so we gathered up instruments and crafts and brought the camp magic to her! It was such a fun day and served as a reminder that music therapy is all-encompassing in regards to creative ways to support patients. Through this internship, I have been able to collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team, write songs, lead groups, work individually, and be a part of so many meaningful moments with patients and their families here at the hospital. I have learned so much about the power and healing that music brings, especially to such an unlikely place such as a hospital. If you are local to NC, I would encourage everyone to apply to this internship! You will gain valuable professional and musical skills, and learn so much about a multitude of people and their diagnoses. Thank you for letting me share some words! Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about this specific internship or music therapy in a pediatric medical setting. My email is [email protected].
​Peace + love, Sherri

​Music therapists work across diverse populations, including the LGBTQIA+ community, where affirming and inclusive care is vital. The Queer Music Therapy Model, introduced by Bain et al. (2016), offers a structured, identity-affirming approach to care that challenges the cissexist and heterosexist foundations of traditional therapeutic frameworks. This model recognizes the unique therapeutic needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals and supports clinicians in offering empowering care.
Originally developed for LGBTQ+ adolescents, the model encourages identity development and resilience through music rather than emphasizing vulnerability (Boggan et al., 2017). Interventions include musical autobiography assessments, gender-bending song parodies, critical lyric analysis, and group anthem writing. These techniques foster self-expression, community, and empowerment in therapeutic settings.
Adult and older LGBTQIA+ populations, particularly those from intersectional backgrounds, often face barriers to affirming care. Research confirms that older LGBTQ+ adults of color are frequently excluded from advocacy and policy, facing ageism alongside racism and heterosexism (Christian et al., 2021). Approaches like Relational–Cultural Theory (RCT) and the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) offer frameworks to support these clients through culturally responsive and justice-oriented care (Cole, 2021).
Queer music therapy can also be strengthened by using works from LGBTQIA+ artists to affirm identities and foster connection. Songs like “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga and “Chosen Family” by Rina Sawayama become powerful tools for healing and identity affirmation.
As the field evolves, the inclusion of affirming, intersectional, and research-driven practices like queer music therapy remains crucial. These practices not only foster resilience and connection but also challenge systems of oppression through the power of music.
References
Bain, C., Grzanka, P. R., & Crowe, B. (2016). Perspectives on queer music therapy: A qualitative analysis of music therapists’ reactions to radically inclusive practice. Journal of Music Therapy, 53(4), 375–404. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thw010
Boggan, K. E., Grzanka, P. R., & Bain, C. L. (2017). The queer music therapy model: Empowering LGBTQ+ youth through musical identity. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v17i3.928
Christian, D., Osborne, J., & Samuels, D. (2021). Counseling older LGBTQ+ adults of color: Relational–cultural theory in practice. Journal of Counseling & Development, 99(3), 330–340. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12378
Cole, R. (2021). Counseling LGBT military clients using the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies framework. Journal of Military and Government Counseling, 9(1), 32–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/2326716X.2021.1945079
Johns Hopkins University. (2022). LGBTQ Glossary – Gender & Sexuality Resources. https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/lgbtq/glossary
AAMFT Queer Affirmative Caucus. (2007). A companion to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer studies: Affirmative counseling techniques. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. https://www.aamft.org/queeraffirmative

Hi AMTAS community!
My name is Rebeca and I will be your secretary for 2025. I recently completed my course
work at Appalachian State University, and am beginning my internship with Symponia Hospice
in Decatur GA this summer. In addition to making music, I enjoy working out and journaling,
especially as forms of self care.
I’m so excited to serve you all this year, and work on sharing ideas through our AMTAS
Blog! As music therapy continues to grow and expand as a field, we as students must also
continue to explore new horizons and continue celebrating the little things which ultimately
culminate to larger accomplishments. My hope for this year is to share advice, ideas, and
accomplishments throughout our music therapy community.
In addition to offering blog posts written by the members of our eBoard, I also look
forward to sharing the experiences of students like you. Whether you have internship advice or
have developed a new way of learning repertoire, we want to hear from you! If you’re interested
in writing a blog post feel free to email me at [email protected] or you can DM us on
Instagram at @_amtas_ .
In the next few weeks we have various exciting events coming up including our Give
Lively campaign and our AMTAS merch design competition. For more information on both of
these events keep an eye on our Instagram and our website.
From all of us here on the AMTAS eBoard, we appreciate all you do as students and
members of the AMTAS community. We hope to continue serving you and providing you with
resources to help you become the best music therapy student you can be!

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As we gather for AMTAS Passages 2024, we invite you to join us for a day dedicated to the exploration and celebration of our shared passion for music therapy. AMTAS Passages event, Soulful Sounds, happening on October 26th from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM (EST), is a virtual event crafted by students, for students. This is more than just an event—it's an opportunity to connect with one another, reflect on our journeys, and draw inspiration from the collective wisdom of our community.

We'll begin the day with "Sip & Socialize," a warm and inviting space where you can enjoy your morning beverage while engaging in meaningful conversations with fellow attendees. Whether you're a seasoned networker or just looking to connect, this session is designed to set the tone for a day of sitting with our community. It's a casual start to the morning that allows us to ease into Passages, fostering connections that will enrich the rest of our time together.

Following our networking session, we are honored to present a keynote address by Chris Millet, MM, MT-BC. Chris will share insights and experiences that highlight the profound impact music therapy has on our personhood throughout many stages of our joining. From student, intern, professional, and seasoned professional, his words are sure to resonate deeply. 

Our student community is the heartbeat of AMTAS, and the event continues with a session dedicated to showcasing their incredible work. This segment of the day offers a platform for peers who are pushing the boundaries of music therapy through innovative research, personal stories, and new ideas. It’s a chance for us to support and learn from one another, and to witness the future leaders of our field as they share their visions.

The Internship Fair offers a unique opportunity to explore diverse internship opportunities and connect with potential supervisors. Whether you're searching for your next placement or just curious about what’s out there, this session will provide valuable insights into the possibilities ahead. It's an essential step in our professional journey and this fair is designed to make that step as informative and engaging as possible.

We'll close the event with a reflective session, celebrating the connections made and the knowledge shared throughout the day. This is a moment to look back on what we've experienced together and to consider how we can continue to inspire and support one another as we advance in our music therapy journeys.

As we look back on the challenges of recent years, including the global pandemic, civil unrest, international conflicts, and the constraints placed on us by external forces, we recognize the resilience and strength of our community. In the face of adversity, we have held space for reflection, growth, and solidarity, honoring the past while steadfastly moving forward.

In 2024, our focus remains unwaveringly on our student community. We are committed to serving them to the highest capacity possible, providing support, resources, and opportunities for growth. Our mission to promote, foster, and advance the education and training of our members is more important than ever as we navigate an ever-changing landscape.
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We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in bringing "Soulful Sounds" to life. Your dedication and hard work are what make events like this possible. We personally invite each and every one of you to share your passion with us on October 26th. Let’s come together to connect, inspire, and be inspired as we celebrate our student community! 

Written by Sydney Winders, AMTAS President