“Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. Music therapy interventions can be designed to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, and promote physical rehabilitation.” (American Music Therapy website)
Music can be used as a therapeutic tool to restore, improve, and maintain mental, social, physical, and emotional well-being. The music therapy program at the Music Institute at HCC is unique in the area and offers private music therapy sessions.
Sessions are designed and conducted by a board certified music therapist for children and adults with disabilities such as autism, developmental delays, AD-HD, physical impairments, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.
Our music therapists are also experienced special education teachers. Beginning piano lessons with a music therapist can often be the first step a child needs to successfully start a lifetime of musical learning. Private beginning piano lessons are available.
Through a cooperative program with Howard County Public Schools, high school music therapy internships and work-study programs are also available.
Please contact the TMI office for more information about our music therapy program. For more information about music therapy, visit the official website of the American Music Therapy Association at http://www.musictherapy.org.
Rita Mayhew, MMT, MT-BC Upon graduating from Notre Dame College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Rita Mayhew’s career began as an elementary vocal music teacher, followed by a term as Assistant to the Director of the Preparatory Department of the Cleveland Institute of Music. Mrs. Mayhew earned both a Bachelor and a Masters degree in Music Therapy from Loyola University, New Orleans with a music therapy internship at Southeast Louisiana State Hospital in Mandeville, LA. While working with children with severe multiple impairments, she completed certification in special education. Mrs. Mayhew is a board-certified music therapist and educator, having a broad experience with individuals on the autism spectrum, those with Alzheimer’s, and other intellectual disabilities. Performing experiences with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Choir include concerts with George Szell, Robert Shaw, James Levine, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and several operas with the Lake Erie Opera Theater and Tulane Summer Lyric Theater. As a student and military spouse, Mrs. Mayhew sang with orchestra choruses in New Orleans, LA; Columbus, OH; Columbia, SC; and San Antonio, TX; and with the San Antonio Mastersingers, sang with Perry Como on his last Christmas special. At HCC, Mrs. Mayhew designed and developed the music therapy curriculum and program adding courses, guest lecturers and observation/shadowing and assisting opportunities for the students in addition to starting and directing the HCC-Bain Center Senior Choir. As Coordinator for the first six years of The Music Institute (formerly the Musical Arts Center) at Howard Community College, Mrs. Mayhew was instrumental in its development and success while beginning and conducting music therapy sessions, both individual and group, through the MAC/TMI. In May of 2010, Mrs. Mayhew was presented the “Excellence in Professional Service Award” from the ARC of Howard County. |  |
 | Jessica Negus, MMT, MT-BC In the fall of 2009, Jessica Negus began her internship in Cleveland, Ohio, working at an assisted living facility for adults with developmental delays. Upon its completion, she became Board-Certified and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Therapy from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. While in school, her practicum experience included preschool, special education, medical, and geriatrics. Ms. Negus accepted her first position as a Music Therapist at Augmenting Ability, a private music therapy practice for children with Autism in the northern Baltimore area, along with one private client in Arlington, Virginia. Prior to graduation, Ms. Negus was involved in her school’s Music Therapy organization, as well as many choirs and vocal competitions from second grade through her last two years in Texas. She comes from a very musical family that has accentuated her passion and drive to pursue music as a career. At HCC, Ms. Negus conducts individual and group Music Therapy sessions, as well as teaching adapted music lessons.
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