Music therapist Cheyenna Eagle watches her students transform on a daily basis.
One student, although nonverbal, was singing and eagerly hand-signing along to songs during her music therapy session, asking for more and more instruction. At the end of the session, the student’s parent stopped Eagle to tell her that this isn’t typical behavior for their child.
“She’s so quiet in every other setting, and she just opens up the minute she’s here,” said Eagle. “I can hear her feet running down the hallway, coming to the room.”
Eagle’s caseload at Powers Music School nearly doubled when she stepped into a full-time position at the school last September.
“I work with a lot of younger kids who refuse to open up to other therapists or other people in their lives, because they just don’t have something that’s just fun and motivating and taking their minds off of the things that are going on,” she said.
Eagle works primarily with children and adults who have intellectual or developmental disabilities, or who are neurodivergent, and offers two types of classes: modified lessons and music therapy.
Meeting the Need
Modified lessons are focused on musical goals, while music therapy focuses on nonmusical goals.
“It’s kind of the difference between taking a voice lesson to learn your favorite songs … and taking voice lessons because you’re rehabilitating from a stroke, and you’re working on rebuilding and strengthening your oral motor skills,” said Eagle.
She is working on physical coordination with some music therapy students; with others, she is working on regulating emotions. Some students are strengthening their speech and social skills.
“[Music] can activate so many parts of your brain, and do so much underneath the surface that some other things just can’t reach,” she said.
Eagle sees about 20 clients a day, and classes range from improvised jam sessions to structured lessons following a set schedule, depending on students’ needs. She offers both individual and group sessions.
Eagle is the first full-time music therapist at Powers.
“We knew that there was more need in the community than we were able to provide for,” said Executive Director Gavin Farrell. “Just settling this role has kind of opened the floodgates and given a place for all this pent-up demand that was in the community to find the resources that they’ve been looking for here at Powers.”
Finding the Joy
According to Eagle, music therapy students’ growing confidence and openness to new experiences are especially evident during recitals.
“All of the parents were like, ‘I never would have expected my child to do this — they opened up so much; they got on stage; they smiled; they bowed; they played their whole song; they nailed it.’” Eagle said. “That’s something that’s been really eye-opening.”
Farrell recalled the first time he watched a recital at Powers Music School.
“It was one of the most moving concerts I’ve ever been to — the kids were just so into it,” he said.
According to Farrell, one student even yelled, “I did it!” when she finished her piece, to which the audience responded, “Yeah, you did!”
“I was like, ‘This is exactly how every concert should be,’” he said. “It was so beautiful and wonderful.”
The school also helps students learn that it’s OK to make mistakes as they explore different instruments. This can be freeing for students who feel pressure to excel in other areas of life, said Eagle.
Additionally, the school gives adults the opportunity to try out new instruments, according to Farrell.
“We have adult students here who are like, ‘Well, I always played the trumpet in band, but I always wanted to be a cellist,’ so they get to come back now as an adult and pick up the instrument that they secretly were dreaming of when they were a kid,” Farrell said.
Continuing to Grow
Powers Music School is seeking another music therapist to meet the growing waitlist of prospective music therapy students.
“We can tell we’re filling a want that’s here,” said Eagle.
Eagle is also working to build partnerships with colleges, so students who are studying to become music therapists can complete a semester of training at Powers. Additionally, the school is in the process of solidifying a new music therapy internship to run for the full academic school year.
Community members can visit Powers Music School’s website to learn more and contact the school with any questions about offerings.
There will also be an open house at the school on Aug. 24 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., including opportunities for attendees to try out different instruments, talk with instructors, take demonstration classes, and participate in arts and crafts activities. More information can be found at powersmusic.org/event/fall-open-house/.
