Service Learning Within the Community Music Therapy Approach (CoMT)

Implications for Music Therapy Education

Authors

  • Soo-Jin Kwoun College of Health Professions, Maryville University of St. Louis

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v19i1.2704

Keywords:

service learning, community music therapy (CoMT), music therapy education

Abstract

The paper explores service learning as one of the pedagogical methods for music therapy students in supporting them to become professionals who can adapt and practice a holistic approach. Community music therapy (CoMT) is proposed as a conceptual framework that can guide the development and practice of music therapy service learning projects. Accordingly, a case example is presented of music therapy student service learning project based from a CoMT orientation. More specifically, this example reflects on participation in the Creative Music Making program as a service learning project for music therapy students. Creative Music Making is an annual collaborative music performance project conducted by the Maryville University Music Therapy Program, St. Louis Symphony, and St. Louis Arc, a non-profit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. The paper outlines the details of the project and discusses the positive impact of the Creative Music Making project on the community participants, the over-arching community, and the music therapy students’ personal and professional development.

Author Biography

Soo-Jin Kwoun, College of Health Professions, Maryville University of St. Louis

Soo-Jin Kwoun, Ph.D., MT-BC is associate professor of music therapy at Maryville University of St. Louis (2005-present). Prior to her current position at Maryville University, she served on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (2003-2005). Kwoun received her equivalency/master’s degree (1999) and PhD (2006) from University of Iowa. She led a study abroad to Korea and Japan (2010), service-learning trips to Guatemala (2011) and Costa Rica (2016). In addition to her teaching responsibilities at Maryville University, she has given courses, workshops and lectures in Korea and Ghana. Her clinical background includes working with preschoolers, children with visual impairments, adults with mental disorders and dementia. Kwoun serves as one of the board members for the Korean Music Therapy Education Association, a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Korean Music Therapy Association and a member of International Relations Committee for the American Music Therapy Association.

Published

2019-01-15

How to Cite

Kwoun, S.-J. (2019). Service Learning Within the Community Music Therapy Approach (CoMT): Implications for Music Therapy Education. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v19i1.2704

Issue

Section

Reflections on Practice